Ordinary 070530Minut.. - Shire of Shark Bay

ORDINARY COUNCIL AGENDA - 30 MAY 2007 Page 12
Crown Land currently used for tourist accommodation in the locality, the type of
accommodation, lease/management arrangements, and any future Crown Land
development opportunities. The Strategy should investigate ways to assist with the
retention and affordable accommodation, particularly on Crown Land, in conjunction with the
Department for Planning and Infrastructure and the Department of Environment and
Conservation.
Using this data, an assessment can be undertaken on whether the current tourism product
is adequately meeting the needs of the tourist and if there are any specific constraints or
issues which are impeding the tourism experience. This may include, for example, a lack of
accommodation of a certain standard, a lack of quality amenities, or a failure to capitalise on
a local attraction or potential tourism asset. The Strategy can then make recommendations
on how to resolve the gaps identified in the analysis.
Future Estimates (Demand)
An audit of the existing situation should be accompanied by estimates of future tourism
growth and therefore the likely demand for short stay accommodation, the range of
accommodation types required, and appropriate supporting amenities and infrastructure.
This analysis is difficult to do accurately at the local level, but can be undertaken by either
extrapolating trends in past visitation to the local area, or by projecting future demand to the
local area based on forecasting conducted at a regional or national level. While the past
visitation approach should be used where possible, in smaller Local Authorities (or new
tourist destinations) the base data may not be available. Cross referencing both
approaches would also be a useful exercise.
A large amount of tourism data is held by Tourism WA and other relevant Agencies. The
information that will be required to estimate the future tourism demand for a Local Authority
and therefore the amount of land and resources to provide for that demand could include
the following -
1 The trend in visitor numbers over the past decade. This information is available from
Tourism WA for the Local Authorities with a significant tourism industry.
2 Projected visitor numbers (domestic and international) for the following decade. It is
recommended this information be determined by extrapolating the trend identified in
point 1 over the following decade with adjustments made for known impacts or
events, such as changes in transport options (eg new or lost road or air services), the
level or quality of attractions, amenities and activities, changes in general visitor
expectations (such as greater consumer interest in particular accommodation types),
new or planned marketing campaigns, significant proposed developments which are
likely to increase the overall popularity of the area (such as Cable Beach Club Resort
with Broome).
3 Details on the breakdown of visitors by accommodation type used over the past
decade, and occupancy rates for different accommodation types in the area.
4 Projected demand for the following decade by accommodation type. Using the trends
established in point 3, extrapolate the expected demand for different accommodation
types within the locality.
Once the above information is gathered, the likely demand for different accommodation
types and the approximate level of capacity needed above that currently available can be
considered. This will need to be carried out in conjunction with a study of existing
accommodation supply by type available.
Tourism WA's 'Tourist Accommodation Land Requirement' report can be used to determine
the land size needs for the various types of accommodation and land allocations can then
be determined.
The Strategy
This section should examine the options for tourist development in the locality from which an
appropriate Strategy is derived, based on the desired future character for the locality and
achievement of outcomes. The final Strategy should incorporate the following -