❓ Hon Sophia Moermond asks about the WA government's plan to support the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury, which is facing closure due to financial challenges. The government is working with administrators to find a solution but hasn't committed to funding yet.
AnsweredQoN 112Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DOLPHIN DISCOVERY CENTRE
112. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the recent news on the
ABC that the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury is going into voluntary administration due to several challenges relating
to rising supply costs, staff shortages and the effects of COVID-19. I note
that the high value of the centre for the state related to it being a conservation-focused
aquarium, which is one of only two places in WA licensed to hold public
feedings of wild dolphins and one of Bunbury's main major tourism
attractions.
(1) Does the
government have a plan to help the centre stay open?
(2) Will the
government provide funding to help the centre stay open?
(3) If no to (2),
will the government provide some other kind of support?
112. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the recent news on the
ABC that the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury is going into voluntary administration due to several challenges relating
to rising supply costs, staff shortages and the effects of COVID-19. I note
that the high value of the centre for the state related to it being a conservation-focused
aquarium, which is one of only two places in WA licensed to hold public
feedings of wild dolphins and one of Bunbury's main major tourism
attractions.
(1) Does the
government have a plan to help the centre stay open?
(2) Will the
government provide funding to help the centre stay open?
(3) If no to (2),
will the government provide some other kind of support?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister for
Regional Development.
(1)–(3) The state government is working with the appointed
administrators, RSM Australia, to develop an approach to ensure that the Dolphin Discovery Centre
remains open and viable. It is too early in the process to determine whether government support will be
required, but the state government recognises the tremendous value of the
Dolphin Discovery Centre to the local community and to the tourism economy in
the Bunbury area.
of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister for
Regional Development.
(1)–(3) The state government is working with the appointed
administrators, RSM Australia, to develop an approach to ensure that the Dolphin Discovery Centre
remains open and viable. It is too early in the process to determine whether government support will be
required, but the state government recognises the tremendous value of the
Dolphin Discovery Centre to the local community and to the tourism economy in
the Bunbury area.
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