Part 1 - Shire of Ashburton

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Shire of Ashburton Tourism Strategy January 2011 Air travel into the inland region is excellent with some 24 flights per week operating between Perth and Paraburdoo, and similar frequency services into Karratha, Newman and Port Hedland. While air travel provides the quickest form of transport for travellers, this mode of arrival is still very low amongst potential tourist and leisure visitors to the region. The very large majority of holiday and leisure visitors to the Shire have and will continue (for the foreseeable future) to arrive via road using self drive or group travel vehicles. Reflecting this, the “speed of access” for travellers been between Perth and the Pilbara region is considered a constraint to successful tourism development. Because of these vast distances, many potential travellers view visiting a major attraction such as Karijini as part of a multi‐destination self drive itinerary. This also highlights the importance of developing self drive itineraries and cross LGA visitor linkages. The Ashburton Vision document has already been referenced in an earlier report section. Part of this Vision was the potential to establish an airport closer to Tom Price. This development, along with an increase to local commercial accommodation within the townsite would deliver a major boost for tourism operators around the Karijini area. Recommendation 29: the Shire should continue to investigate the establishment of an airport at Tom Price. Recommendation 30: reflecting increased energy sector activity focused around Onslow, the Shire should continue plans to upgrade the airport facility at Onslow. Recommendation 31: the Shire should continue to investigate and work with other stakeholders to progress the completion of the new sealed road link between Karratha and Tom Price via Millstream Chichester National Park. Recommendation 32: the Shire should investigate and work with the Shire of Upper Gascoyne and Main Roads WA to progress the development of a new all weather gravel road between Mount Augustus and Paraburdoo. 7.3 Accommodation As stated in the Australia’s North West Tourism Development Priorities 2010 – 2015 (ANW TDP), “It is generally agreed that the most critical issue affecting the Pilbara is the lack of tourist accommodation in the region which places a significant constraint on the tourism industry’s ability to expand. The key driver of this lack of accommodation capacity is the influence of the resource sector in the area. Most of the hotel and caravan park accommodation available in the Pilbara is largely booked out in advance and for long periods of time by mining and construction companies. This leaves a shortage of accommodation available for the self‐drive market as they pass through the area”. The lack of short term tourist accommodation capacity is also an issue for towns within the Shire of Ashburton and without an active, tourism‐focused commercial accommodation sector tourism (in particular higher yield) visitation will remain hamstrung. The lack of a strong, tourism focused commercial accommodation base can also work to inhibit the financial viability of dedicated Visitor Information Centres robbing them of booking commissions potential with local government typically stepping in to fund the operational shortfall. A common denominator of all the successful VICs operating within Western Australia is the presence of a solid local accommodation base that they take bookings for and gain commissions from. 51
Shire of Ashburton Tourism Strategy January 2011 Establishing additional accommodation capacity within a developing tourism destination poses a number of important viability issues and ultimately should only result when sufficient market demand for such facilities has been clearly identified. There is no doubt that lack of accommodation capacity can severely restrict tourism growth for a particular destination however these operations must also be financially sustainable ventures. A long term approach to accommodation development must therefore be implemented. Recommendation 33: the Shire should encourage and support the establishment of budget style and caravan and camping facilities within the Paraburdoo townsite. This could be done on a green field site or as an extension to existing commercial accommodation operations. Recommendation 34: for major towns that are experiencing severe commercial accommodation shortages investigate the opportunity for development of “conditional” transient accommodation that caters only for short term visits of three days or less and only operational during the peak visitor months as an overflow mechanism. Recommendation 35: the Shire to continue the development process for the establishment of a tourism resort style accommodation within Tom Price. If the current proponent is unable or unwilling to proceed with the project then Shire should reopen the tender process to new develop/operators. Discussions with local Indigenous groups (either individually or collectively) to ascertain interest in becoming the new project proponents should also be investigated as Traditional Owner groups typically undertake a long term commitment and perspective to these type of developments on traditional country. 7.3.1 Shire of Ashburton Commercial Accommodation Leases The Shire of Ashburton currently owns the freehold to two well located commercial accommodation premises in Onslow and one in Tom Price (see attachment 8). These are; - Ocean View Caravan Park, Onslow - Sun Chalets, Onslow - Tom Price Tourist Park, Tom Price A review of each individual site is detailed below. Ocean View Caravan Park, Onslow The Caravan Park is well located on the beachfront, some 400 metres from the local post office and opposite the police station. Approximately 80 caravan and camping sites however the property requires a significant capital investment and general facility refurbishment to bring it to a standard commensurate with its excellent location. There is approximately 3 years left Aerial view of Ocean View Caravan Park to run on the current lease. A review of Shire financial reports reveals the lessee pays some $25,000 per annum to the Shire in rent. Budgeted outgoings include only an allocation towards insurance (estimated to be around $5,000) leaving a net surplus to Shire of around $20,000 per annum. As retiree “sun seeker” caravan travellers from the State’s south west are a major proportion of the visitor market to Onslow it is considered important to retain this type of low cost commercial accommodation operator in the town. By maintaining ownership of the site the Shire can ensure that this type of accommodation is retained within the town. 52
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Part 1 - Shire of Ashburton

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