❓ Hon George Cash asks about specific grants available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre. Hon Ken Travers responds with details of available grants and past funding changes, highlighting government support for regional tourism.
AnsweredQoN 954Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PEMBERTON TOURIST CENTRE, SPECIFIC GRANTS
(1) For what specific grants can the Pemberton Tourist Centre apply for tourism and other related purposes in the south west region? (2) What specific grants have been made available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre in each of the past five years? Hon KEN TRAVERS
(1) For what specific grants can the Pemberton Tourist Centre apply for tourism and other related purposes in the south west region? (2) What specific grants have been made available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre in each of the past five years? Hon KEN TRAVERS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Members may or may not be aware that the Pemberton Tourist Centre has experienced some financial problems in the past. They are complex, and I can assure the member that both the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the Department of Industry and Technology have been, and continue to be, willing to work with that agency to try to address some of the problems. In fact, earlier this year I visited the centre with officers of the WA Tourism Commission. A number of grants are available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre, and, along with similar organisations, it would be eligible for those grants. I intend to list some of them. However, if the member wants a more detailed list, one is available on the WA Tourism Commission web site, and officers of the WATC could also offer further assistance in that regard. (1) The WATC expects the Pemberton Tourist Centre to join the WA tourism network shortly. On joining that network, the Pemberton Tourist Centre would be eligible for one-off grants of up to $5 800 to assist in establishing itself within that network. It would also be eligible for a further subsidy of $100, plus goods and services tax, for every standard member that it signed up to that network, which is funded by the State Government as part of its commitment to reduce the costs of tourism providers that join the network. That amount would go to the tourist centre. Further, the Minister for State Development and Tourism will shortly release guidelines for the country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme. The Pemberton Tourist Centre will be able to make application for grants under that scheme, which will assist in providing for the long-term sustainability of country visitor centres. That is part of the Government’s commitment to provide $2 million over four years to country tourist centres. Those guidelines have been developed in consultation with visitor centres throughout Western Australia. The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme. (2) The WATC provided a grant to the Pemberton Tourist Centre of $17 302 in 1995-96. After that year, the moneys previously allocated to all visitor servicing associations in the south west region were consolidated into an annual grant to Tourism South West. There have been no direct visitor servicing grants from the WATC from 1996-97 to this financial year. The Labor Party, as part of its election commitments, was concerned about the previous policy. I appreciate very much that the member’s question about the five-year time line related to the fact that that change in policy by the previous Government had, in many cases, left country visitor centres not financially viable. That is the reason the Government committed to providing $2 million over four years to country visitor centres and why it has developed guidelines specifically aimed at ensuring their long-term sustainability. The country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme will be released shortly by the Minister for State Development and Tourism. The centres will be able to apply to that scheme for funds this financial year. This Government sees it as imperative that tourist centres are not neglected, as they were by the previous Government. They must be provided with opportunities to become financially viable in the long term. A search of the Department of Industry and Technology’s records revealed that the following specific grants have been provided to the Pemberton Tourist Centre: 2001 industry and technology regional business assistance scheme, $4 400; 1999 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $1 500; and the 1998 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $4 000, giving a total of $9 900.
(2) What specific grants have been made available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre in each of the past five years? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Members may or may not be aware that the Pemberton Tourist Centre has experienced some financial problems in the past. They are complex, and I can assure the member that both the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the Department of Industry and Technology have been, and continue to be, willing to work with that agency to try to address some of the problems. In fact, earlier this year I visited the centre with officers of the WA Tourism Commission. A number of grants are available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre, and, along with similar organisations, it would be eligible for those grants. I intend to list some of them. However, if the member wants a more detailed list, one is available on the WA Tourism Commission web site, and officers of the WATC could also offer further assistance in that regard. (1) The WATC expects the Pemberton Tourist Centre to join the WA tourism network shortly. On joining that network, the Pemberton Tourist Centre would be eligible for one-off grants of up to $5 800 to assist in establishing itself within that network. It would also be eligible for a further subsidy of $100, plus goods and services tax, for every standard member that it signed up to that network, which is funded by the State Government as part of its commitment to reduce the costs of tourism providers that join the network. That amount would go to the tourist centre. Further, the Minister for State Development and Tourism will shortly release guidelines for the country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme. The Pemberton Tourist Centre will be able to make application for grants under that scheme, which will assist in providing for the long-term sustainability of country visitor centres. That is part of the Government’s commitment to provide $2 million over four years to country tourist centres. Those guidelines have been developed in consultation with visitor centres throughout Western Australia. The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme. (2) The WATC provided a grant to the Pemberton Tourist Centre of $17 302 in 1995-96. After that year, the moneys previously allocated to all visitor servicing associations in the south west region were consolidated into an annual grant to Tourism South West. There have been no direct visitor servicing grants from the WATC from 1996-97 to this financial year. The Labor Party, as part of its election commitments, was concerned about the previous policy. I appreciate very much that the member’s question about the five-year time line related to the fact that that change in policy by the previous Government had, in many cases, left country visitor centres not financially viable. That is the reason the Government committed to providing $2 million over four years to country visitor centres and why it has developed guidelines specifically aimed at ensuring their long-term sustainability. The country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme will be released shortly by the Minister for State Development and Tourism. The centres will be able to apply to that scheme for funds this financial year. This Government sees it as imperative that tourist centres are not neglected, as they were by the previous Government. They must be provided with opportunities to become financially viable in the long term. A search of the Department of Industry and Technology’s records revealed that the following specific grants have been provided to the Pemberton Tourist Centre: 2001 industry and technology regional business assistance scheme, $4 400; 1999 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $1 500; and the 1998 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $4 000, giving a total of $9 900.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Members may or may not be aware that the Pemberton Tourist Centre has experienced some financial problems in the past. They are complex, and I can assure the member that both the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the Department of Industry and Technology have been, and continue to be, willing to work with that agency to try to address some of the problems. In fact, earlier this year I visited the centre with officers of the WA Tourism Commission. A number of grants are available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre, and, along with similar organisations, it would be eligible for those grants. I intend to list some of them. However, if the member wants a more detailed list, one is available on the WA Tourism Commission web site, and officers of the WATC could also offer further assistance in that regard. (1) The WATC expects the Pemberton Tourist Centre to join the WA tourism network shortly. On joining that network, the Pemberton Tourist Centre would be eligible for one-off grants of up to $5 800 to assist in establishing itself within that network. It would also be eligible for a further subsidy of $100, plus goods and services tax, for every standard member that it signed up to that network, which is funded by the State Government as part of its commitment to reduce the costs of tourism providers that join the network. That amount would go to the tourist centre. Further, the Minister for State Development and Tourism will shortly release guidelines for the country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme. The Pemberton Tourist Centre will be able to make application for grants under that scheme, which will assist in providing for the long-term sustainability of country visitor centres. That is part of the Government’s commitment to provide $2 million over four years to country tourist centres. Those guidelines have been developed in consultation with visitor centres throughout Western Australia. The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme. (2) The WATC provided a grant to the Pemberton Tourist Centre of $17 302 in 1995-96. After that year, the moneys previously allocated to all visitor servicing associations in the south west region were consolidated into an annual grant to Tourism South West. There have been no direct visitor servicing grants from the WATC from 1996-97 to this financial year. The Labor Party, as part of its election commitments, was concerned about the previous policy. I appreciate very much that the member’s question about the five-year time line related to the fact that that change in policy by the previous Government had, in many cases, left country visitor centres not financially viable. That is the reason the Government committed to providing $2 million over four years to country visitor centres and why it has developed guidelines specifically aimed at ensuring their long-term sustainability. The country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme will be released shortly by the Minister for State Development and Tourism. The centres will be able to apply to that scheme for funds this financial year. This Government sees it as imperative that tourist centres are not neglected, as they were by the previous Government. They must be provided with opportunities to become financially viable in the long term. A search of the Department of Industry and Technology’s records revealed that the following specific grants have been provided to the Pemberton Tourist Centre: 2001 industry and technology regional business assistance scheme, $4 400; 1999 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $1 500; and the 1998 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $4 000, giving a total of $9 900.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Members may or may not be aware that the Pemberton Tourist Centre has experienced some financial problems in the past. They are complex, and I can assure the member that both the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the Department of Industry and Technology have been, and continue to be, willing to work with that agency to try to address some of the problems. In fact, earlier this year I visited the centre with officers of the WA Tourism Commission. A number of grants are available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre, and, along with similar organisations, it would be eligible for those grants. I intend to list some of them. However, if the member wants a more detailed list, one is available on the WA Tourism Commission web site, and officers of the WATC could also offer further assistance in that regard. (1) The WATC expects the Pemberton Tourist Centre to join the WA tourism network shortly. On joining that network, the Pemberton Tourist Centre would be eligible for one-off grants of up to $5 800 to assist in establishing itself within that network. It would also be eligible for a further subsidy of $100, plus goods and services tax, for every standard member that it signed up to that network, which is funded by the State Government as part of its commitment to reduce the costs of tourism providers that join the network. That amount would go to the tourist centre. Further, the Minister for State Development and Tourism will shortly release guidelines for the country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme. The Pemberton Tourist Centre will be able to make application for grants under that scheme, which will assist in providing for the long-term sustainability of country visitor centres. That is part of the Government’s commitment to provide $2 million over four years to country tourist centres. Those guidelines have been developed in consultation with visitor centres throughout Western Australia. The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme. (2) The WATC provided a grant to the Pemberton Tourist Centre of $17 302 in 1995-96. After that year, the moneys previously allocated to all visitor servicing associations in the south west region were consolidated into an annual grant to Tourism South West. There have been no direct visitor servicing grants from the WATC from 1996-97 to this financial year. The Labor Party, as part of its election commitments, was concerned about the previous policy. I appreciate very much that the member’s question about the five-year time line related to the fact that that change in policy by the previous Government had, in many cases, left country visitor centres not financially viable. That is the reason the Government committed to providing $2 million over four years to country visitor centres and why it has developed guidelines specifically aimed at ensuring their long-term sustainability. The country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme will be released shortly by the Minister for State Development and Tourism. The centres will be able to apply to that scheme for funds this financial year. This Government sees it as imperative that tourist centres are not neglected, as they were by the previous Government. They must be provided with opportunities to become financially viable in the long term. A search of the Department of Industry and Technology’s records revealed that the following specific grants have been provided to the Pemberton Tourist Centre: 2001 industry and technology regional business assistance scheme, $4 400; 1999 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $1 500; and the 1998 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $4 000, giving a total of $9 900.
(1) The WATC expects the Pemberton Tourist Centre to join the WA tourism network shortly. On joining that network, the Pemberton Tourist Centre would be eligible for one-off grants of up to $5 800 to assist in establishing itself within that network. It would also be eligible for a further subsidy of $100, plus goods and services tax, for every standard member that it signed up to that network, which is funded by the State Government as part of its commitment to reduce the costs of tourism providers that join the network. That amount would go to the tourist centre. Further, the Minister for State Development and Tourism will shortly release guidelines for the country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme. The Pemberton Tourist Centre will be able to make application for grants under that scheme, which will assist in providing for the long-term sustainability of country visitor centres. That is part of the Government’s commitment to provide $2 million over four years to country tourist centres. Those guidelines have been developed in consultation with visitor centres throughout Western Australia. The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme. (2) The WATC provided a grant to the Pemberton Tourist Centre of $17 302 in 1995-96. After that year, the moneys previously allocated to all visitor servicing associations in the south west region were consolidated into an annual grant to Tourism South West. There have been no direct visitor servicing grants from the WATC from 1996-97 to this financial year. The Labor Party, as part of its election commitments, was concerned about the previous policy. I appreciate very much that the member’s question about the five-year time line related to the fact that that change in policy by the previous Government had, in many cases, left country visitor centres not financially viable. That is the reason the Government committed to providing $2 million over four years to country visitor centres and why it has developed guidelines specifically aimed at ensuring their long-term sustainability. The country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme will be released shortly by the Minister for State Development and Tourism. The centres will be able to apply to that scheme for funds this financial year. This Government sees it as imperative that tourist centres are not neglected, as they were by the previous Government. They must be provided with opportunities to become financially viable in the long term. A search of the Department of Industry and Technology’s records revealed that the following specific grants have been provided to the Pemberton Tourist Centre: 2001 industry and technology regional business assistance scheme, $4 400; 1999 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $1 500; and the 1998 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $4 000, giving a total of $9 900.
The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme.
(2) What specific grants have been made available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre in each of the past five years? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Members may or may not be aware that the Pemberton Tourist Centre has experienced some financial problems in the past. They are complex, and I can assure the member that both the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the Department of Industry and Technology have been, and continue to be, willing to work with that agency to try to address some of the problems. In fact, earlier this year I visited the centre with officers of the WA Tourism Commission. A number of grants are available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre, and, along with similar organisations, it would be eligible for those grants. I intend to list some of them. However, if the member wants a more detailed list, one is available on the WA Tourism Commission web site, and officers of the WATC could also offer further assistance in that regard. (1) The WATC expects the Pemberton Tourist Centre to join the WA tourism network shortly. On joining that network, the Pemberton Tourist Centre would be eligible for one-off grants of up to $5 800 to assist in establishing itself within that network. It would also be eligible for a further subsidy of $100, plus goods and services tax, for every standard member that it signed up to that network, which is funded by the State Government as part of its commitment to reduce the costs of tourism providers that join the network. That amount would go to the tourist centre. Further, the Minister for State Development and Tourism will shortly release guidelines for the country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme. The Pemberton Tourist Centre will be able to make application for grants under that scheme, which will assist in providing for the long-term sustainability of country visitor centres. That is part of the Government’s commitment to provide $2 million over four years to country tourist centres. Those guidelines have been developed in consultation with visitor centres throughout Western Australia. The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme. (2) The WATC provided a grant to the Pemberton Tourist Centre of $17 302 in 1995-96. After that year, the moneys previously allocated to all visitor servicing associations in the south west region were consolidated into an annual grant to Tourism South West. There have been no direct visitor servicing grants from the WATC from 1996-97 to this financial year. The Labor Party, as part of its election commitments, was concerned about the previous policy. I appreciate very much that the member’s question about the five-year time line related to the fact that that change in policy by the previous Government had, in many cases, left country visitor centres not financially viable. That is the reason the Government committed to providing $2 million over four years to country visitor centres and why it has developed guidelines specifically aimed at ensuring their long-term sustainability. The country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme will be released shortly by the Minister for State Development and Tourism. The centres will be able to apply to that scheme for funds this financial year. This Government sees it as imperative that tourist centres are not neglected, as they were by the previous Government. They must be provided with opportunities to become financially viable in the long term. A search of the Department of Industry and Technology’s records revealed that the following specific grants have been provided to the Pemberton Tourist Centre: 2001 industry and technology regional business assistance scheme, $4 400; 1999 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $1 500; and the 1998 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $4 000, giving a total of $9 900.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Members may or may not be aware that the Pemberton Tourist Centre has experienced some financial problems in the past. They are complex, and I can assure the member that both the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the Department of Industry and Technology have been, and continue to be, willing to work with that agency to try to address some of the problems. In fact, earlier this year I visited the centre with officers of the WA Tourism Commission. A number of grants are available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre, and, along with similar organisations, it would be eligible for those grants. I intend to list some of them. However, if the member wants a more detailed list, one is available on the WA Tourism Commission web site, and officers of the WATC could also offer further assistance in that regard. (1) The WATC expects the Pemberton Tourist Centre to join the WA tourism network shortly. On joining that network, the Pemberton Tourist Centre would be eligible for one-off grants of up to $5 800 to assist in establishing itself within that network. It would also be eligible for a further subsidy of $100, plus goods and services tax, for every standard member that it signed up to that network, which is funded by the State Government as part of its commitment to reduce the costs of tourism providers that join the network. That amount would go to the tourist centre. Further, the Minister for State Development and Tourism will shortly release guidelines for the country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme. The Pemberton Tourist Centre will be able to make application for grants under that scheme, which will assist in providing for the long-term sustainability of country visitor centres. That is part of the Government’s commitment to provide $2 million over four years to country tourist centres. Those guidelines have been developed in consultation with visitor centres throughout Western Australia. The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme. (2) The WATC provided a grant to the Pemberton Tourist Centre of $17 302 in 1995-96. After that year, the moneys previously allocated to all visitor servicing associations in the south west region were consolidated into an annual grant to Tourism South West. There have been no direct visitor servicing grants from the WATC from 1996-97 to this financial year. The Labor Party, as part of its election commitments, was concerned about the previous policy. I appreciate very much that the member’s question about the five-year time line related to the fact that that change in policy by the previous Government had, in many cases, left country visitor centres not financially viable. That is the reason the Government committed to providing $2 million over four years to country visitor centres and why it has developed guidelines specifically aimed at ensuring their long-term sustainability. The country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme will be released shortly by the Minister for State Development and Tourism. The centres will be able to apply to that scheme for funds this financial year. This Government sees it as imperative that tourist centres are not neglected, as they were by the previous Government. They must be provided with opportunities to become financially viable in the long term. A search of the Department of Industry and Technology’s records revealed that the following specific grants have been provided to the Pemberton Tourist Centre: 2001 industry and technology regional business assistance scheme, $4 400; 1999 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $1 500; and the 1998 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $4 000, giving a total of $9 900.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Members may or may not be aware that the Pemberton Tourist Centre has experienced some financial problems in the past. They are complex, and I can assure the member that both the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the Department of Industry and Technology have been, and continue to be, willing to work with that agency to try to address some of the problems. In fact, earlier this year I visited the centre with officers of the WA Tourism Commission. A number of grants are available to the Pemberton Tourist Centre, and, along with similar organisations, it would be eligible for those grants. I intend to list some of them. However, if the member wants a more detailed list, one is available on the WA Tourism Commission web site, and officers of the WATC could also offer further assistance in that regard. (1) The WATC expects the Pemberton Tourist Centre to join the WA tourism network shortly. On joining that network, the Pemberton Tourist Centre would be eligible for one-off grants of up to $5 800 to assist in establishing itself within that network. It would also be eligible for a further subsidy of $100, plus goods and services tax, for every standard member that it signed up to that network, which is funded by the State Government as part of its commitment to reduce the costs of tourism providers that join the network. That amount would go to the tourist centre. Further, the Minister for State Development and Tourism will shortly release guidelines for the country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme. The Pemberton Tourist Centre will be able to make application for grants under that scheme, which will assist in providing for the long-term sustainability of country visitor centres. That is part of the Government’s commitment to provide $2 million over four years to country tourist centres. Those guidelines have been developed in consultation with visitor centres throughout Western Australia. The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme. (2) The WATC provided a grant to the Pemberton Tourist Centre of $17 302 in 1995-96. After that year, the moneys previously allocated to all visitor servicing associations in the south west region were consolidated into an annual grant to Tourism South West. There have been no direct visitor servicing grants from the WATC from 1996-97 to this financial year. The Labor Party, as part of its election commitments, was concerned about the previous policy. I appreciate very much that the member’s question about the five-year time line related to the fact that that change in policy by the previous Government had, in many cases, left country visitor centres not financially viable. That is the reason the Government committed to providing $2 million over four years to country visitor centres and why it has developed guidelines specifically aimed at ensuring their long-term sustainability. The country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme will be released shortly by the Minister for State Development and Tourism. The centres will be able to apply to that scheme for funds this financial year. This Government sees it as imperative that tourist centres are not neglected, as they were by the previous Government. They must be provided with opportunities to become financially viable in the long term. A search of the Department of Industry and Technology’s records revealed that the following specific grants have been provided to the Pemberton Tourist Centre: 2001 industry and technology regional business assistance scheme, $4 400; 1999 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $1 500; and the 1998 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $4 000, giving a total of $9 900.
(1) The WATC expects the Pemberton Tourist Centre to join the WA tourism network shortly. On joining that network, the Pemberton Tourist Centre would be eligible for one-off grants of up to $5 800 to assist in establishing itself within that network. It would also be eligible for a further subsidy of $100, plus goods and services tax, for every standard member that it signed up to that network, which is funded by the State Government as part of its commitment to reduce the costs of tourism providers that join the network. That amount would go to the tourist centre. Further, the Minister for State Development and Tourism will shortly release guidelines for the country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme. The Pemberton Tourist Centre will be able to make application for grants under that scheme, which will assist in providing for the long-term sustainability of country visitor centres. That is part of the Government’s commitment to provide $2 million over four years to country tourist centres. Those guidelines have been developed in consultation with visitor centres throughout Western Australia. The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme. (2) The WATC provided a grant to the Pemberton Tourist Centre of $17 302 in 1995-96. After that year, the moneys previously allocated to all visitor servicing associations in the south west region were consolidated into an annual grant to Tourism South West. There have been no direct visitor servicing grants from the WATC from 1996-97 to this financial year. The Labor Party, as part of its election commitments, was concerned about the previous policy. I appreciate very much that the member’s question about the five-year time line related to the fact that that change in policy by the previous Government had, in many cases, left country visitor centres not financially viable. That is the reason the Government committed to providing $2 million over four years to country visitor centres and why it has developed guidelines specifically aimed at ensuring their long-term sustainability. The country visitor centre sustainability enhancement scheme will be released shortly by the Minister for State Development and Tourism. The centres will be able to apply to that scheme for funds this financial year. This Government sees it as imperative that tourist centres are not neglected, as they were by the previous Government. They must be provided with opportunities to become financially viable in the long term. A search of the Department of Industry and Technology’s records revealed that the following specific grants have been provided to the Pemberton Tourist Centre: 2001 industry and technology regional business assistance scheme, $4 400; 1999 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $1 500; and the 1998 South West Development Commission Pemberton Comedy Festival, $4 000, giving a total of $9 900.
The Pemberton Tourist Centre board has indicated a desire to upgrade its premises and increase the size of its forest interpretation display. The Pemberton Tourist Centre was previously funded for an interpretive centre. When seeking any funding, it would probably be required to include an analysis of the shortcomings of the karri forest discovery centre in its current location. Funding is available under the regional infrastructure fund that is managed by the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. That provides grants between $100 000 and $5 million for capital works projects, which include interpretive and discovery centres. Assistance under the Commonwealth Government’s regional tourism program, which is managed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is also available for interpretive and discovery centres. The member may wish to note that applications for financial assistance can be made to the Department of Industry and Technology through the south west industry assistance scheme.
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