A WA parliamentary question probes the costs, purpose, and justification for establishing a Wilderness Discovery Centre in the Walpole Wilderness Area, focusing on taxpayer expenditure and community support. The answer provides some cost details and clarifies the centre's role and the committee's function.

AnsweredQoN 2269Legislative Assembly
Asked
19 November 2003
Portfolio
the Environment

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What is the anticipated cost of establishing the Wilderness Discovery Centre described in your media release of 12 November 2003?
(2) What will be the annual operating cost of the Centre once it is established and how will these costs be incurred?
(3) What is the estimated cost of hiring Tourism Co-ordinates as consultants to the next phase of establishing the Centre?
(4) What exactly is meant by the purpose of the Centre, described in your media statement as promoting ‘an interest in, and further understanding of those attributes considered special to the Walpole Wilderness Area, their evolution and issues associated with long-term sustainability’?
(5) What justification has the Walpole Wilderness Area Community Advisory Committee provided to show that there is a need for taxpayer expenditure on a Centre ‘which advocates the values and sustainable management of the Walpole Wilderness Area’ when such advocacy should not be needed now that the Government has committed itself to the creation of a new wilderness area?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
4 December 2003
Responded by
Minister for the Environment
Response time
15 days
(2) The governance and method of operation of the centre, for example managed by a community organisation or by the Department of Conservation and Land Management, staffed, unstaffed, using volunteers, or a mix of all the above, is to be addressed in the consultant’s report. (3) $27,800. (4) It is envisaged that the centre will provide information, education and interpretation on the history, natural values, features and management issues of the area. (5) The development of the discovery centre is also a Government commitment. The Walpole Wilderness Area Community Advisory Committee provides feedback and advice to Government. Its role is not to justify the Government’s commitment. The word advocate means to “publicly recommend or support”. Such support is required in the community for the sustainable management of the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area.
(3) $27,800. (4) It is envisaged that the centre will provide information, education and interpretation on the history, natural values, features and management issues of the area. (5) The development of the discovery centre is also a Government commitment. The Walpole Wilderness Area Community Advisory Committee provides feedback and advice to Government. Its role is not to justify the Government’s commitment. The word advocate means to “publicly recommend or support”. Such support is required in the community for the sustainable management of the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area.
(4) It is envisaged that the centre will provide information, education and interpretation on the history, natural values, features and management issues of the area. (5) The development of the discovery centre is also a Government commitment. The Walpole Wilderness Area Community Advisory Committee provides feedback and advice to Government. Its role is not to justify the Government’s commitment. The word advocate means to “publicly recommend or support”. Such support is required in the community for the sustainable management of the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area.
(5) The development of the discovery centre is also a Government commitment. The Walpole Wilderness Area Community Advisory Committee provides feedback and advice to Government. Its role is not to justify the Government’s commitment. The word advocate means to “publicly recommend or support”. Such support is required in the community for the sustainable management of the proposed Walpole Wilderness Area.

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