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❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the procurement, distribution, and maintenance of caravans provided to cyclone-affected individuals in the Mid-West region following Tropical Cyclone Seroja. The questions cover procurement processes, costs, licensing, and ongoing responsibilities.

AnsweredQoN 240Legislative Council

Asked

12 August 2021

Member

Hon Martin Aldridge

Portfolio

Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

(1) I refer to the Minister's media statement of 21 July 2021 relating to eleven caravans that had been sent to the Mid-West region to assist with housing, following Tropical Cyclone Seroja and comments made by the Minister in response to Legislative Assembly question without notice 368, and I ask: (a) what procurement process was utilised to purchase the caravans? (2) Will the Minister please identify the following for each of the caravans purchased: (a) purchase price; (b) make; (c) model; (d) year of manufacture; and (e) supplier of the caravan to the State of Western Australia? (3) On what date did the State Government take possession of each caravan? (4) On what date did the State Government supply each caravan to a cyclone affected person(s)? (5) What was the cost of transporting the caravans: (a) from Perth to Geraldton; and (b) from Geraldton to the cyclone affected person? (6) The Minister claims that the caravans were a 'result of direct contact with the community', and I ask how was the number of caravans determined across the 16 affected Local Government areas? (7) Have any further person(s) been identified in need beyond the recipients of these 11 caravans and, if so, how will the State Government respond to their need? (8) The Minister claims that the caravans were in the process of being 'made good', and I ask: (a) what has been the total cost of making good the caravans; (b) were these deficiencies known at the time of purchasing the caravans; (c) have the caravans been inspected for compliance with electrical and gas regulations prior to allocation; and (d) given these caravans will be semi-permanent homes for cyclone affected person(s), has the State Government ensured the provision of RCD and smoke alarm detection in each caravan prior to allocation? (9) The Minister claims the delay in providing the caravans was in part related to licensing, and I ask: (a) how many caravans were not licensed at the time of purchase; (b) why was licensing a pre-requisite prior to allocating caravan(s) given the semi-permanent nature of the accommodation; (c) on what date was each unlicensed caravan licensed; (d) what repairs were required to each caravan to ensure roadworthiness prior to licensing; and (e) who will be responsible for the ongoing costs of licensing? (10) Who will be responsible for the ongoing repair and maintenance of caravans supplied? (11) Has an exemption been granted by the Minister for Local Government as required under the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act 1995 to enable residents to remain in the caravans longer than three months if required?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

9 September 2021

Responded by

Leader of the House representing the Minister for Emergency Services

Response time

9 days

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
1a)       Direct sourcing, in accordance with WA Procurement Rule C5 Exemption from Appropriate Procurement Method. The exemption is available when an Emergency Situation arises.
2)
a)
PURCHASE PRICE
b)
MANUFACTURER
c)
MODEL
d)
YEAR OF MANUFACTURE
e)
SUPPLIER
$39,600
Jayco
Heritage
2005
Midland City Caravans
$25,300
Avan
Erin
2007
Midland City Caravans
$47,300
Eco
Tourer
2014
Midland City Caravans
$25,300
Roadstar
Voyager
1995
Midland City Caravans
$64,900
Crusader
Castle
2016
Midland City Caravans
$30,800
Jayco
Heritage
2003
Midland City Caravans
$26,400
Paramount
Delta
2005
Midland City Caravans
$21,990
Coromal
Excel
2007
Crown Motor Company
$23,990
Jayco
Westport
1999
Crown Motor Company
$48,990
Jayco
Expanda
2015
Crown Motor Company
$36,990
Jayco
Expanda
2009
Crown Motor Company
3)
MANUFACTURER
MODEL
POSSESSION DATE
Jayco
Heritage
20 July 2021
Avan
Erin
20 July 2021
Eco
Tourer
20 July 2021
Roadstar
Voyager
20 July 2021
Crusader
Castle
20 July 2021
Jayco
Heritage
20 July 2021
Paramount
Delta
20 July 2021
Coromal
Excel
19 July 2021
Jayco
Westport
19 July 2021
Jayco
Expanda
19 July 2021
Jayco
Expanda
19 July 2021
4) All caravans were delivered by 24 August. The delivery schedule was based on recipients’ availability and circumstances. DFES delivered the caravans and assisted with their set-up at the recipient’s chosen location. All caravans were delivered by 24 August 2021.
5a)       $14,520 inc. GST
5b)       Nil.
6)         The number of caravans was identified through consultation with affected Local Governments, community groups, welfare agencies and industry bodies, including assessment of all available datasets. DFES personnel made more than 100 phone calls to community members to confirm community need and to schedule delivery. This included site visits where required.
7)         Requests for assistance are being received and assessed on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with recovery and welfare agencies. To date no additional requests for accommodation have been received.
8a)       $2,541 inc. GST for minor gas and electrical rectification on three caravans.
8b)       No
8c)       Yes.
8d)       Yes. The caravans provide temporary accommodation for those in need to enable them to stay close to home during the rebuild.
9a - b) None of the caravans were unlicensed. As a part of the purchase and licensing process, transfer of ownership was required.         The State Government requires that government owned motor vehicles, trailers, caravans and motorcycles licenced in the name of Government Agencies have government plates. All 11 caravans had State (ordinary) plates and had to be re-licensed and issued with government plates.
9c)       N/A
9d)       Nil.
9e)       Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
10)       Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
11)       Please refer this question to the Minister for Local Government

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