❓ Mr. Watson questions the Premier about delays in Anzac centenary works in Albany. The Premier acknowledges concerns about the interpretive centre's viability and funding for ongoing operations, despite state and federal commitment to construction.
AnsweredQoN 641Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ALBANY —
ANZAC CENTENARY
641. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
announcement on 16 August 2012 concerning work surrounding the commemoration of
the Anzac centenary in Albany.
(1) Is the
Premier aware of the delays in the progress towards the construction of the
Anzac interpretive centre and capital works on Mt Clarence?
(2) What is the Premier doing the get the works back on
track, if he is aware?
(3) Will the
Premier guarantee that the work is progressing to schedule and that all works
will be completed well in advance of the commemorations, which commence in
November 2014?
ANZAC CENTENARY
641. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
announcement on 16 August 2012 concerning work surrounding the commemoration of
the Anzac centenary in Albany.
(1) Is the
Premier aware of the delays in the progress towards the construction of the
Anzac interpretive centre and capital works on Mt Clarence?
(2) What is the Premier doing the get the works back on
track, if he is aware?
(3) Will the
Premier guarantee that the work is progressing to schedule and that all works
will be completed well in advance of the commemorations, which commence in
November 2014?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question and I look forward to
visiting Albany this weekend and early next week for the regional cabinet
meeting.
(1)–(3)
Off the top of my head, I believe that the state government has allocated
around $8 million or $9 million towards the centenary of the departure of the
two fleets from Albany in 1914. The proposals put forward by the Albany
Centenary of Anzac Alliance, essentially led by the RSL, are good proposals.
The federal government has agreed to fund most of the interpretive centre.
There was a $2.7 million shortfall and the state government has agreed to make
that up. The state's main contribution to the Anzac centenary is to do
all the roadworks and work on the parking areas and the restoration of
memorials on Mt Clarence, which I think is about $7 million, as well as making
a contribution to the interpretive centre. Also, the state will basically take
over the responsibility for managing the event, at the request of the City of
Albany.
The issue of the interpretive
centre is not one of money but of who will operate the centre once it is built
and whether it will be viable. My understanding is that the City of Albany has
said that it will not take on the responsibility for the interpretive centre.
The state has also made it clear that it will not take on responsibility for
the centre, and I doubt that the commonwealth will either; that is the issue. I
think there is some doubt about the interpretive centre and that it is unlikely
to be viable. There will be further discussions about that. The commonwealth
and state are prepared to build it and fund it, but who will maintain the recurrent
expenditure?
Mr P.B. Watson : The National
Trust of Australia is looking at it.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is looking at it and if it can come up with a viable case, both commonwealth
and state money is available for that.
Mr
M. McGowan : Will it be built?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
If it is viable. It can be built, but what is the point of building something
that is not viable?
Mr M. McGowan : It
is the centenary of Anzac.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, it is, and $9 million has been allocated by the state and the commonwealth
for the interpretive centre. What is important, in my view, is for the site to
contain appropriate interpretive material. I do not know whether a restaurant
or cafe is going to work. I have my doubts. It is important to have appropriate
interpretive material commemorating the event that provides details for people
who visit and that the centre does not in any way interfere with the view,
which is a spectacular view; one can almost imagine being back in 1914 watching
the fleet going out. There are some issues but if the National Trust and the
alliance can make a case for and demonstrate that the interpretive centre can
be profitable, sustainable and be staffed and maintain a cafe, the commonwealth
and the state are willing for it to be built. That is where it is at.
visiting Albany this weekend and early next week for the regional cabinet
meeting.
(1)–(3)
Off the top of my head, I believe that the state government has allocated
around $8 million or $9 million towards the centenary of the departure of the
two fleets from Albany in 1914. The proposals put forward by the Albany
Centenary of Anzac Alliance, essentially led by the RSL, are good proposals.
The federal government has agreed to fund most of the interpretive centre.
There was a $2.7 million shortfall and the state government has agreed to make
that up. The state's main contribution to the Anzac centenary is to do
all the roadworks and work on the parking areas and the restoration of
memorials on Mt Clarence, which I think is about $7 million, as well as making
a contribution to the interpretive centre. Also, the state will basically take
over the responsibility for managing the event, at the request of the City of
Albany.
The issue of the interpretive
centre is not one of money but of who will operate the centre once it is built
and whether it will be viable. My understanding is that the City of Albany has
said that it will not take on the responsibility for the interpretive centre.
The state has also made it clear that it will not take on responsibility for
the centre, and I doubt that the commonwealth will either; that is the issue. I
think there is some doubt about the interpretive centre and that it is unlikely
to be viable. There will be further discussions about that. The commonwealth
and state are prepared to build it and fund it, but who will maintain the recurrent
expenditure?
Mr P.B. Watson : The National
Trust of Australia is looking at it.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is looking at it and if it can come up with a viable case, both commonwealth
and state money is available for that.
Mr
M. McGowan : Will it be built?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
If it is viable. It can be built, but what is the point of building something
that is not viable?
Mr M. McGowan : It
is the centenary of Anzac.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, it is, and $9 million has been allocated by the state and the commonwealth
for the interpretive centre. What is important, in my view, is for the site to
contain appropriate interpretive material. I do not know whether a restaurant
or cafe is going to work. I have my doubts. It is important to have appropriate
interpretive material commemorating the event that provides details for people
who visit and that the centre does not in any way interfere with the view,
which is a spectacular view; one can almost imagine being back in 1914 watching
the fleet going out. There are some issues but if the National Trust and the
alliance can make a case for and demonstrate that the interpretive centre can
be profitable, sustainable and be staffed and maintain a cafe, the commonwealth
and the state are willing for it to be built. That is where it is at.
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