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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 664 asked in the Legislative Council on 6 April 2022 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas

Question Directed to the: Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for Environment
Parliament: 41 Session: 1


Question

I refer to the John Forrest Tavern in John Forrest National Park, and I ask:
(a) is the Government closing down the tavern by not having its lease renewed;
(b) if yes to (a), why;
(c) can the Minister confirm that food and beverage vans will be used to replace to tavern, as per media reports;
(d) why are vans preferred to provide food and drinks to a building;
(e) what compensation has been offered to the leaseholders of the tavern;
(f) what community consultation was undertaken prior to this decision, and what input was received during that consultation on the proposal to close the tavern; and
(g) what is the Government's rationale for this decision?

Answered on 11 May 2022

(a) - (b)            The current lease to operate the John Forrest (Wildflower) Tavern expires on
31 May 2022, and the tavern will be closing after this date so that work on the proposed park improvements can commence. The continued operation of the tavern will not be possible as the business would be disrupted by preliminary work that will be commencing over the coming months.  

(c) - (d)            The current tavern does not meet the contemporary standards and a new café will be constructed as part of the park improvements. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) will offer a lease to operate the café via a publicly advertised, competitive process. In the interim period, until the café is completed, DBCA will license food and beverage vans to operate in the park on application.

(e)        The lessee is not eligible for compensation under the lease. DBCA has been liaising with the current tavern lessees for a significant period in preparation for this change, which was outlined in the park management plan in 1994. The current lessees took on the lease in 1998 and it expired in 2003, but has been extended on several occasions. 

(f)        DBCA has engaged with park visitors, key stakeholders and Aboriginal traditional owners over several years to inform the vision and planning of the park improvements. There is broad community support for improved facilities including a new food and beverage offering.

(g)        See (f) above. The expiry of the lease provides the opportunity for the John Forrest National Park Improvement Project to proceed, to revitalise the park, improve accessibility and upgrade park facilities.