Question On Notice No. 1137 asked in the Legislative Council on 29 November 2022 by Hon Colin De Grussa
Question Directed to the: Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for Tourism
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the 2023 Ningaloo Solar Eclipse and related expenditure, and I ask:
(a) how much of the grant money provided to businesses through the Local Capability Fund has been expended to date;
(b) will there be a future grant round for not-for-profits to ensure capacity ahead of the eclipse and provide legacy to key not-for-profits;
(c) of the total $21.2 million, how much has been expended to date and what have been the outcomes of this expenditure; and
(d) of the $5 million for event management, how much was directed to:
(i) Onslow;
(ii) Exmouth;
(iii) Carnarvon;
(iv) Tom Price;
(v) Shark Bay;
(vi) Kalbarri; and
(vii) other?
Answered on 14 February 2023
The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation advises:
The Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade, rather than the Minister for Tourism has portfolio responsibility for Local Capability Fund (LCF) and Event Management funding to support preparations for the Total Solar Eclipse.
(a) $131,792 of the approved LCF grant funding has been expended as at 23 January 2023.
(b) There are no future planned Total Solar Eclipse LCF funding rounds for 2022-23.
(c) Each government agency is individually responsible for its own internal budget expenditure. There are 14 State agencies involved in a range of projects to facilitate Total Solar Eclipse, including telecommunication upgrades, road upgrades, and National Park infrastructure upgrades.
(d) (i)-(iii) The Shires of Carnarvon, Exmouth and Ashburton have been awarded funds to support infrastructure upgrades and provision of services, including event logistics, to ensure the delivery of a safe and enjoyable event that leaves lasting benefits for the local communities.
(iv)-(vii) No funding has been awarded to Tom Price, Shark Bay or Kalbarri.