❓ Question regarding the safety and acceptability of substandard worker accommodation in Coral Bay, given the high number of tourists. Minister acknowledges the issue, states it's been ongoing, and outlines plans to facilitate private sector development to improve accommodation.
AnsweredQoN 907Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORAL BAY —
ACCOMMODATION
907. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Tourism:
I have a supplementary question.
With workers living in substandard temporary accommodation, including tents, in
what the Minister for Regional Development has referred to as a shantytown, how
can the Minister for Tourism justify the situation as acceptably safe when
there are upwards of 5 000 tourists in Coral Bay during peak season on any
given day?
ACCOMMODATION
907. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Tourism:
I have a supplementary question.
With workers living in substandard temporary accommodation, including tents, in
what the Minister for Regional Development has referred to as a shantytown, how
can the Minister for Tourism justify the situation as acceptably safe when
there are upwards of 5 000 tourists in Coral Bay during peak season on any
given day?
AnswerView source ↗
Anyone
who has been to the location knows that the accommodation to which the member
refers has been like that for many years. It is not a new thing, and a bit
like homelessness, the opposition woke up about 12 months ago and found there
was a problem—the member knows this full well. What do they call it—''Soweto''
or something?
Mr V.A. Catania : ''Little
Kenya''.
Mr P. PAPALIA : It is called ''Little Kenya'',
that is right. I have been there. I agree that it is substandard. A lot of
people actually enjoy it, because they like the camaraderie that comes from
being in close proximity in a camping site, and many of them are backpackers,
as the member is aware. They do not perceive it as being outrageously bad. It
is affordable and it is close proximity. I do not think it is acceptable. I would
like to change it. As I said, I have been there. I have met with potential
developers. I am sure the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Minister for
Regional Development are working on potentially accessing further available
land so that better developments can be provided and facilitated. Ultimately,
all of them will be private enterprise driven. It will not be about the state
government building housing for private enterprise employees; it will be about
facilitating the developments using private capital. That is what we do in
government. We are engaged with the business community, and I think the member
will find that most people are enthusiastic about our actions in driving
tourist numbers to the region. They want additional assistance in planning and
facilitating access to land, and we are working on that.
who has been to the location knows that the accommodation to which the member
refers has been like that for many years. It is not a new thing, and a bit
like homelessness, the opposition woke up about 12 months ago and found there
was a problem—the member knows this full well. What do they call it—''Soweto''
or something?
Mr V.A. Catania : ''Little
Kenya''.
Mr P. PAPALIA : It is called ''Little Kenya'',
that is right. I have been there. I agree that it is substandard. A lot of
people actually enjoy it, because they like the camaraderie that comes from
being in close proximity in a camping site, and many of them are backpackers,
as the member is aware. They do not perceive it as being outrageously bad. It
is affordable and it is close proximity. I do not think it is acceptable. I would
like to change it. As I said, I have been there. I have met with potential
developers. I am sure the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Minister for
Regional Development are working on potentially accessing further available
land so that better developments can be provided and facilitated. Ultimately,
all of them will be private enterprise driven. It will not be about the state
government building housing for private enterprise employees; it will be about
facilitating the developments using private capital. That is what we do in
government. We are engaged with the business community, and I think the member
will find that most people are enthusiastic about our actions in driving
tourist numbers to the region. They want additional assistance in planning and
facilitating access to land, and we are working on that.
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