❓ Opposition MP Rick Mazza questions the Minister for Environment regarding increased national park camping fees in WA, comparing them to other states and Victoria's fee reduction initiative. The Minister defends the fees, citing increased visitation and the need to maintain facilities.
AnsweredQoN 976Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NATIONAL PARKS —
CAMPGROUND FEES
976. Hon RICK MAZZA to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to today's article
in The West Australian headed ''Campers to pay more as fees surge'',
which says that entry fees for 32 national parks across WA have risen between
14 and 30 per cent.
(1) What is the new category of
campground that has been established as part of the recent fee review?
Hon Darren West interjected.
Hon RICK MAZZA : Did I ask you
this question, honourable member?
(2) Has patronage to WA national
parks increased or declined since the last fee review in 2017?
(3) How do WA's new national
park entry fees compare with other Australian states and territories?
(4) Is the
minister aware of the Victorian government initiative of reducing camping fees
across state and national parks by 50 per cent from 1 July 2019?
CAMPGROUND FEES
976. Hon RICK MAZZA to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to today's article
in The West Australian headed ''Campers to pay more as fees surge'',
which says that entry fees for 32 national parks across WA have risen between
14 and 30 per cent.
(1) What is the new category of
campground that has been established as part of the recent fee review?
Hon Darren West interjected.
Hon RICK MAZZA : Did I ask you
this question, honourable member?
(2) Has patronage to WA national
parks increased or declined since the last fee review in 2017?
(3) How do WA's new national
park entry fees compare with other Australian states and territories?
(4) Is the
minister aware of the Victorian government initiative of reducing camping fees
across state and national parks by 50 per cent from 1 July 2019?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Two new
categories of camping fees have been established where there are additional
facilities, such as ablutions, showers or shelters. The first category applies
to two campgrounds in the Kimberley where the new camping fee is $17 per adult
per night and reflects the higher management costs of operating in this region.
The second category applies to 14 campgrounds where the new camping fee is $15
per adult per night. Camping fees at the remaining 250 campgrounds managed by
the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have not changed
and remain at $11 per adult per night.
(2) Visits to national parks have
increased since 2017.
(3) Although each
jurisdiction has a different fee structure, park entry, park pass and camping
fees charged in Western Australia are comparable with those of other states and
remain good value for money when compared with other recreation activities.
(4) I am aware of
the Victorian government's initiative to reduce camping fees; however, Western
Australia remains committed to providing and maintaining the places and
facilities that campers enjoy, to which the collection of camp fees makes a valuable
contribution. I am advised that reducing camping fees in Victoria was a state
election commitment. Victoria has a complex camping fee schedule that varies
from park to park and includes some quite high fees compared with WA. Some of
the new fee reductions in Victoria will bring fees more into alignment with
those charged in Western Australia.
some notice of the question.
(1) Two new
categories of camping fees have been established where there are additional
facilities, such as ablutions, showers or shelters. The first category applies
to two campgrounds in the Kimberley where the new camping fee is $17 per adult
per night and reflects the higher management costs of operating in this region.
The second category applies to 14 campgrounds where the new camping fee is $15
per adult per night. Camping fees at the remaining 250 campgrounds managed by
the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions have not changed
and remain at $11 per adult per night.
(2) Visits to national parks have
increased since 2017.
(3) Although each
jurisdiction has a different fee structure, park entry, park pass and camping
fees charged in Western Australia are comparable with those of other states and
remain good value for money when compared with other recreation activities.
(4) I am aware of
the Victorian government's initiative to reduce camping fees; however, Western
Australia remains committed to providing and maintaining the places and
facilities that campers enjoy, to which the collection of camp fees makes a valuable
contribution. I am advised that reducing camping fees in Victoria was a state
election commitment. Victoria has a complex camping fee schedule that varies
from park to park and includes some quite high fees compared with WA. Some of
the new fee reductions in Victoria will bring fees more into alignment with
those charged in Western Australia.
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