❓ The WA government extended Wedge Island leases until June 2006, with a possible 5-year extension. Road construction is delayed due to budget constraints, impacting developer selection.
AnsweredQoN 992Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the commitment given by the Labor Party prior to June 2001 that an extension of the leases at Wedge Island would be granted until either a developer for the area was appointed or the construction of the Lancelin-Cervantes coast road and spur into Wedge Island was completed. What is the current status of these contingent issues, and what is the current status of the leases? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Consistent with the Government’s commitments, the leases for shack occupiers at Wedge Island have been extended until 30 June 2006 with the provision for a further five-year extension if necessary. Lease extension documents have been offered to all registered shack occupiers. I understand that approximately 70 per cent of the shack occupiers have signed and returned the lease extensions. The lease extension document includes provisions for termination in the event of the approval of a lease for development of visitor facilities and/or the completion of Indian Ocean Drive between Lancelin and Cervantes, inclusive of the spur road into Wedge Island. The State recognises the strategic and economic importance of developing the coastal route from Lancelin to Cervantes. However, the project cost of $44 million and budgetary constraints precluded the Government from being able to fund the delivery of this road project in the current budget and forward estimates. Final design and documentation for a contract to construct the road and other pre-construction activities will be completed by late 2004 to ensure that, should funding become available, the project can proceed without delay. The Government will examine opportunities for funding arrangements that allow the project to proceed as quickly as possible in line with the normal budget processes. A review of the process to select a developer to construct visitor facilities is now being undertaken in light of recent advice regarding a road construction time frame.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Consistent with the Government’s commitments, the leases for shack occupiers at Wedge Island have been extended until 30 June 2006 with the provision for a further five-year extension if necessary. Lease extension documents have been offered to all registered shack occupiers. I understand that approximately 70 per cent of the shack occupiers have signed and returned the lease extensions. The lease extension document includes provisions for termination in the event of the approval of a lease for development of visitor facilities and/or the completion of Indian Ocean Drive between Lancelin and Cervantes, inclusive of the spur road into Wedge Island. The State recognises the strategic and economic importance of developing the coastal route from Lancelin to Cervantes. However, the project cost of $44 million and budgetary constraints precluded the Government from being able to fund the delivery of this road project in the current budget and forward estimates. Final design and documentation for a contract to construct the road and other pre-construction activities will be completed by late 2004 to ensure that, should funding become available, the project can proceed without delay. The Government will examine opportunities for funding arrangements that allow the project to proceed as quickly as possible in line with the normal budget processes. A review of the process to select a developer to construct visitor facilities is now being undertaken in light of recent advice regarding a road construction time frame.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Consistent with the Government’s commitments, the leases for shack occupiers at Wedge Island have been extended until 30 June 2006 with the provision for a further five-year extension if necessary. Lease extension documents have been offered to all registered shack occupiers. I understand that approximately 70 per cent of the shack occupiers have signed and returned the lease extensions. The lease extension document includes provisions for termination in the event of the approval of a lease for development of visitor facilities and/or the completion of Indian Ocean Drive between Lancelin and Cervantes, inclusive of the spur road into Wedge Island. The State recognises the strategic and economic importance of developing the coastal route from Lancelin to Cervantes. However, the project cost of $44 million and budgetary constraints precluded the Government from being able to fund the delivery of this road project in the current budget and forward estimates. Final design and documentation for a contract to construct the road and other pre-construction activities will be completed by late 2004 to ensure that, should funding become available, the project can proceed without delay. The Government will examine opportunities for funding arrangements that allow the project to proceed as quickly as possible in line with the normal budget processes. A review of the process to select a developer to construct visitor facilities is now being undertaken in light of recent advice regarding a road construction time frame.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Consistent with the Government’s commitments, the leases for shack occupiers at Wedge Island have been extended until 30 June 2006 with the provision for a further five-year extension if necessary. Lease extension documents have been offered to all registered shack occupiers. I understand that approximately 70 per cent of the shack occupiers have signed and returned the lease extensions. The lease extension document includes provisions for termination in the event of the approval of a lease for development of visitor facilities and/or the completion of Indian Ocean Drive between Lancelin and Cervantes, inclusive of the spur road into Wedge Island. The State recognises the strategic and economic importance of developing the coastal route from Lancelin to Cervantes. However, the project cost of $44 million and budgetary constraints precluded the Government from being able to fund the delivery of this road project in the current budget and forward estimates. Final design and documentation for a contract to construct the road and other pre-construction activities will be completed by late 2004 to ensure that, should funding become available, the project can proceed without delay. The Government will examine opportunities for funding arrangements that allow the project to proceed as quickly as possible in line with the normal budget processes. A review of the process to select a developer to construct visitor facilities is now being undertaken in light of recent advice regarding a road construction time frame.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Consistent with the Government’s commitments, the leases for shack occupiers at Wedge Island have been extended until 30 June 2006 with the provision for a further five-year extension if necessary. Lease extension documents have been offered to all registered shack occupiers. I understand that approximately 70 per cent of the shack occupiers have signed and returned the lease extensions. The lease extension document includes provisions for termination in the event of the approval of a lease for development of visitor facilities and/or the completion of Indian Ocean Drive between Lancelin and Cervantes, inclusive of the spur road into Wedge Island. The State recognises the strategic and economic importance of developing the coastal route from Lancelin to Cervantes. However, the project cost of $44 million and budgetary constraints precluded the Government from being able to fund the delivery of this road project in the current budget and forward estimates. Final design and documentation for a contract to construct the road and other pre-construction activities will be completed by late 2004 to ensure that, should funding become available, the project can proceed without delay. The Government will examine opportunities for funding arrangements that allow the project to proceed as quickly as possible in line with the normal budget processes. A review of the process to select a developer to construct visitor facilities is now being undertaken in light of recent advice regarding a road construction time frame.
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