DAMPIER PENINSULA —
VISITOR ACCESS
1188. Hon PETER COLLIER to
the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the minister's
comments on ABC regional radio that a toll and permit system is being
considered for the Dampier Peninsula as two possible ways to raise money before
a local road is sealed.
(1) Can the minister confirm that
she is currently considering introducing a toll on this road?
(2) Has any work
been undertaken by government on progressing this toll, including any financial
analysis?
(3) If yes to (2), what is the
expected annual amount that this toll would raise?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
I will just point out that we were not talking about raising money for the
sealing of the road—just so that the member is absolutely clear on
that.
(1) The state
government is working closely with the Dampier Peninsula Working Group, which
comprises traditional owner and community council representatives from the
peninsula, on issues concerning visitor management and access. The working
group has highlighted management of visitation to the peninsula as a priority
consideration. Currently, there are a range of different fees for service
access arrangements on the peninsula. In recent discussions with some members
of the working group, some traditional owners were giving consideration to
whether there is merit in consolidating the different fees. To this end, the
government is undertaking a review of existing and future permit systems. We
are not proposing a mechanism for raising state revenue. No toll road is
planned. Any future fee would go directly back to peninsula stakeholders to
manage the expected increase in visitor numbers.
(2) No work has
been undertaken by the government on the introduction of a toll, nor has any
financial analysis been undertaken.
(3) Not
applicable.