ABROLHOS ISLANDS —
DEVELOPMENT
103. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to Legislative Council
question without notice 1182 on 21 November 2018 in relation to the sustainable
development of the Abrolhos Islands.
(1) Has a business
case been prepared for the expenditure of $10 million of royalties for regions
funds for this project?
(2) If yes to (1), will the minister
table that business case?
(3) Has the
minister made a decision about the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and
Attractions operations base at the Wallabi group of islands; and, if yes, what
is that decision?
(4) Will the $10 million
in funding stretch beyond establishing the Abrolhos Islands national park and
DBCA facilities at the islands?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) The business
case will be considered by government during normal processes for the 2019–20
budget. Accordingly, the business case will not be tabled at this time.
(3)–(4) It
is intended to invest $10 million in the creation of a world-class islands
national park, including upgrading airstrips and the provision of jetties,
toilets, shade shelters, boardwalks and other infrastructure such as signs. As
a part of the creation of the national park, a small operations base is being
proposed for the Wallabi group of islands. It will be used by staff from the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development. The planning for the operations
base is underway but no final decision has been made, as it is necessary to
consider the possible environmental impacts of any proposed works.