❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the Rottnest Island Authority's board appointments, planning transparency, and staff housing development, with the Minister providing responses regarding procedures and environmental assessments.
AnsweredQoN 1110Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Will the Minister advise who is the member of the
Rottnest Island Authority Board appointed under section 6(2)(a) of the Rottnest
Island Authority Act 1987 ? (2) What are the qualifications and experience of the
person appointed under section 6(2)(a) of the Act? (3) Will the Minister explain why the Rottnest Island
Authority operates as a planning authority yet fails to make publicly
available agendas, minutes, and officer reports relating to development
applications contrary to the current practice of other planning authorities in Western Australia (notably the Western Australian Planning Commission and
each of the 137 local government authorities)? (4) Will the Minister consider bringing the Rottnest
Island Authority into line with other planning authorities by publishing
agendas, minutes and officer reports and receiving deputations from individuals
and groups when an application is being considered? (5) Are there any plans to review the Rottnest Island
Authority Act 1987 ? (6) Is the Minister aware that development applications
are being considered by the Rottnest Island Authority for the provision of
staff housing? (7) If yes to (6), is the Minister aware of any impact analysis that
has been undertaken regarding development applications for staff housing and,
if so, could the Minister please table these reports?
Rottnest Island Authority Board appointed under section 6(2)(a) of the Rottnest
Island Authority Act 1987 ? (2) What are the qualifications and experience of the
person appointed under section 6(2)(a) of the Act? (3) Will the Minister explain why the Rottnest Island
Authority operates as a planning authority yet fails to make publicly
available agendas, minutes, and officer reports relating to development
applications contrary to the current practice of other planning authorities in Western Australia (notably the Western Australian Planning Commission and
each of the 137 local government authorities)? (4) Will the Minister consider bringing the Rottnest
Island Authority into line with other planning authorities by publishing
agendas, minutes and officer reports and receiving deputations from individuals
and groups when an application is being considered? (5) Are there any plans to review the Rottnest Island
Authority Act 1987 ? (6) Is the Minister aware that development applications
are being considered by the Rottnest Island Authority for the provision of
staff housing? (7) If yes to (6), is the Minister aware of any impact analysis that
has been undertaken regarding development applications for staff housing and,
if so, could the Minister please table these reports?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 February 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for Tourism
Response time
9 days
(1) Ms Louise Watson.
(2) Ms Watson holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Eco Chemistry. She has extensive environmental management experience and has held positions as a Contaminated Land Consultant and Environmental Manager.
(3) The Rottnest Island Authority operates under a statutory management plan in accordance with the provisions of the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987 . Legislatively, no development of living accommodation for guests can occur outside of the statutory Settlement Area and any development not provided for in the management plan requires the approval of the Minister. In addition, the management plan must be reviewed every five years and is subject to statutorily required public notification and consultation processes.
(4) Rottnest Island Authority already invites and receives public submissions on significant developments, providing opportunities for interested parties to make representations and decisions on development applications are publicly notified.
(5) Not at this time.
(6) The Minister is aware of the consideration of development applications for staff housing.
(7) The Rottnest Island Authority has submitted an application for a Native Vegetation Clearing Permit to Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for the land at Parker Point Road, which is the subject of development applications for staff housing. Rottnest Island Authority engaged external expert consultants to produce a Native Vegetation Clearing Report in support of the application. The Report also references a botanist survey of the area previously conducted by Focus Vision Consultancy.
(2) Ms Watson holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Eco Chemistry. She has extensive environmental management experience and has held positions as a Contaminated Land Consultant and Environmental Manager.
(3) The Rottnest Island Authority operates under a statutory management plan in accordance with the provisions of the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987 . Legislatively, no development of living accommodation for guests can occur outside of the statutory Settlement Area and any development not provided for in the management plan requires the approval of the Minister. In addition, the management plan must be reviewed every five years and is subject to statutorily required public notification and consultation processes.
(4) Rottnest Island Authority already invites and receives public submissions on significant developments, providing opportunities for interested parties to make representations and decisions on development applications are publicly notified.
(5) Not at this time.
(6) The Minister is aware of the consideration of development applications for staff housing.
(7) The Rottnest Island Authority has submitted an application for a Native Vegetation Clearing Permit to Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for the land at Parker Point Road, which is the subject of development applications for staff housing. Rottnest Island Authority engaged external expert consultants to produce a Native Vegetation Clearing Report in support of the application. The Report also references a botanist survey of the area previously conducted by Focus Vision Consultancy.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.