Tourism Planning Taskforce Report - Western Australian Planning ...

Chapter 1Introduction1 IntroductionThis report outlines the findings of thetaskforce, based on its investigations of theterms of reference and related issues, andpresents its conclusions andrecommendations. The focus of investigationshas been on the issues of residentialcomponents in the development of touristzoned land and the strata titling of touristzoned land. It also has; been necessary todeal more generally with the issue of land forfuture tourism development, which currentlymay not be zoned for tourism purposes.In establishing its approach to the terms ofreference, there was a clearacknowledgement by taskforce members ofthe unique character of the Western Australiantourism industry. This included the broadcommunity accessibility to high-valuerecreation areas currently enjoyed, and thatthis point of difference will be valuable for thefuture success of the industry. The protectionof this character through the development ofsustainable tourism products, with anemphasis on the use of high-value tourismland for tourism purposes, was recognised asa key principle.1.1 Scope of taskforceinvestigationIn July 2002, the Minister for Planning andInfrastructure (Minister), the Hon AlannahMacTiernan MLA, announced her intention toestablish a taskforce to examine issuessurrounding the trends of introducing aresidential component into developments ontourist zoned land, and the strata titling oftourism developments. The Ministeracknowledged the lack of strategic directionavailable to local government and the WesternAustralian Planning Commission (WAPC)when considering such applications. TheMinister identified concerns with the trends inrespect to accessibility to prime recreationresources for the general public, potentialimpacts on regional employment opportunitiesand maintaining a variety of tourismaccommodation options.These trends had been brought to theMinister’s attention through a series ofproposed rezonings of tourism land to providefor residential use, and approaches at agovernment agency and local governmentlevel, on concerns with inappropriatelystructured strata titled tourism developments.The identified trends primarily represent thedevelopment industry’s approach to dealingwith the difficulties of increased financialrestrictions on investment funding for tourismdevelopment. Other factors are the relativefinancial benefit of residential investment overtourism development in high-amenity coastalareas, and a perceived lack of viability fortourism development on some sites. Thedifficulty for the development industry inachieving development viability on sometourism sites is evident in their long vacancyperiod, with proposals based on a mix ofresidential/tourism use, or residential-onlydevelopments being pursued.The scope of the taskforce investigations wasto review the justifications for and implicationsof the identified trends and recommend apolicy framework to guide the assessment offuture proposals. Specific terms of referencewere provided that reflected the Minister’srequirement for the taskforce to report within areasonable period and the need for ongoingassessment and determination of suchapplications.The taskforce investigations addressed theterms of reference as they applied to thewhole State. There was; however a particularfocus on the implications of developmenttrends in regional areas, where the majority ofissues that gave rise to the Taskforceoccurred, and the importance of these areasin establishing the State’s tourism character.1.2 Terms of referenceThe terms of reference for the taskforce areto:• Undertake an examination of the merits ofthe justifications used by proponents insupport of their applications to provideresidential development on land zoned fortourist purposes and consider criteria forthe assessment of such claims.• Assess the implications of allowing a mix ofpermanent and tourist accommodation onland zoned for tourism purposes in termsTourism Planning Taskforce Report1