KI Traveller's Levy Economic Impact Assessment - Kangaroo Island ...
KI Traveller's Levy Economic Impact Assessment - Kangaroo Island ...
KI Traveller's Levy Economic Impact Assessment - Kangaroo Island ...
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Commercial-in-Confidence<br />
<strong>KI</strong> Traveller’s <strong>Levy</strong><br />
<strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong><br />
The greater costs are likely to be those associated with implementing a levy. For operators,<br />
this would involve updating existing pricing schedules, re-printing brochures, and reprogramming<br />
booking systems. For Council, the largest and most uncertain component will<br />
be the legislative costs of introducing a levy. These are unknown at this stage.<br />
5.3 THE FEASIBILITY OF EXEMPTING LOCALS<br />
The report has discussed the case for excluding residents (and off-island ratepayers) from a<br />
Traveller’s <strong>Levy</strong>, concluding that there is a strong case for doing so. While practical<br />
mechanisms can be conceived for such an exemption, whether their implementation is<br />
ultimately feasible is a question of cost-effectiveness.<br />
For ferry travellers, as SeaLink already requests identification when selling discounted fares<br />
to locals, such an exemption would appear administrable (i.e. their residents’ discount would<br />
simply be greater). Alternatively, Council could offer a refund to locals on presentation of<br />
their tax invoice. In the case of air travellers, this would indeed be the only option. While<br />
feasible, the merits of such a system would hinge on Council’s ability to develop a low-cost<br />
re-imbursement mechanism.<br />
5.4 POTENTIAL IMPEDIMENTS AND BARRIERS<br />
Desktop research and, in a particular, consultation with local stakeholders, revealed a range<br />
of potential impediments and barriers to the introduction of a Traveller’s <strong>Levy</strong> on <strong>KI</strong>.<br />
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Opposition from local tourism businesses: both discussions with local tourism<br />
operators and the survey results revealed a level of opposition to the introduction of a<br />
Traveller’s <strong>Levy</strong>. Of the 51 respondents to the <strong>KI</strong> Council Tour Operator Survey, 44%<br />
said they would support a <strong>Levy</strong> to assist the Council in maintaining/improving <strong>KI</strong>’s<br />
roads and other infrastructure and around half believe that the implementation of a<br />
Traveller’s <strong>Levy</strong> would impact negatively on their business.<br />
Strong opposition from SeaLink: given the importance of securing the ferry<br />
operator’s support, SeaLink’s stated opposition to a Traveller’s <strong>Levy</strong> poses a major<br />
challenge to its introduction. While this need not present an impasse, it is among the<br />
greatest barriers that introduction of a <strong>Levy</strong> would face<br />
Issues of legal jurisdiction: introduction of a Traveller’s <strong>Levy</strong> would invariably face a<br />
number of issues of jurisdiction which would need to be investigated, and which would<br />
ultimately determine what, if any, method of implementation was feasible.<br />
Imposing a levy on ferry operators.<br />
Imposing a levy on air operators.<br />
Imposing a levy on car hire businesses.<br />
Acceptance from travellers: despite survey results reporting a high level of support<br />
for a Traveller’s <strong>Levy</strong> (71% of respondents indicated they would support a levy)<br />
concerns are regularly raised about the cost of travel to the <strong>Island</strong>, which many suggest<br />
is excessive. Travellers will be therefore be more resistant to the <strong>Levy</strong> if they see it<br />
simply as adding to the cost of travel, rather than adding to the cost of their visit more<br />
generally.<br />
Legal precedents: state government authorities raised concerns that the introduction<br />
of a Traveller’s <strong>Levy</strong> on <strong>KI</strong> may create a precedent which allows other jurisdictions with<br />
similar fiscal shortfalls to seek such a solution, irrespective of the appropriateness of<br />
their circumstances.<br />
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