ABROLHOS ISLANDS —
DEVELOPMENT
1182. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the WA government's
plans for the Abrolhos Islands and the $10 million allocated in the state
budget for the sustainable development of the Abrolhos Islands.
(1) Will the minister outline how
the $10 million of budget funding will be spent?
(2) Are there
plans to build new Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Parks and Wildlife Service offices and housing on the islands?
(3) If yes to (2), on which island
and how much has been allocated to build this infrastructure required?
(4) Will the minister table the
business case for the sustainable development of the Abrolhos?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) A total of
$10 million was allocated in the 2018–19 budget to the Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development. DPIRD will work with the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to undertake visitor
safety and to deliver visitor infrastructure and facilities for management and
operations.
(2)–(4) An
operations facility is being considered for the Wallabi group of islands to
provide a park management base for these and adjacent islands. This facility
would be shared by DBCA and DPIRD and may provide accommodation, storage and
office space. Planning for the sustainable development of the Abrolhos,
including for the operations facility, has commenced and will inform the
financial aspects of the project.