Tourism Planning Taskforce Report - Western Australian Planning ...

Chapter 1Introductionissues and implications associated with eachof the terms of reference were interlinked.Although the prerequisites for financingtourism development were noted as thefundamental drivers of current trends, thetaskforce considered that any policy responseneeded to be viewed in a holistic context andtake into account the outcome in terms oftourism product. The complexity of the issuesinvolved, and the early recognition that ablanket policy approach would be unlikely toaccommodate regional variations across theState, also steered the taskforce toward thedevelopment of a policy framework to providefor improved strategic consideration of tourismland use issues, as opposed to a purelyprescriptive outcome.In addition to the State strategic policy context,as set out in this report, the expectations ofthe taskforce members also were guided bythe following issues, as identified by theMinister, in the background to theestablishment of the taskforce:• the retention of prime tourist zoned sites fortourism purposes;• the potential for land use conflict betweentourism and residential uses - detractingfrom tourism values, including the touristexperience available;• the provision and retention of variety in therange of tourist accommodation optionsavailable, particularly low-cost options;• the absence of an existing policyframework to guide the Minister, WAPCand local government in the considerationof such applications;• the potential impact of strata schemes onthe ongoing operation of tourismdevelopments for tourism purposes;• accessibility for the general public to primerecreation and holiday sites; and• maximisation of regional employmentopportunities associated with tourismdevelopment.Within this context, the taskforce identified thefollowing expected outcomes:• To identify the primary land use planningobjectives and criteria for touristaccommodation development thatrecognises regional and metropolitandifferences, and the circumstances in whicha residential component will be acceptablein a tourism zoning.• To define types of tourist accommodationand the suitability of a residentialcomponent, and the percentage/proportionof any such component.• To establish clear guidelines for thecalculation of any residential component,eg percentage of developable area.• To consider the introduction of mixed usezoning and the requirement for anincreased focus on outline developmentplans and detailed area plans within suchzonings.• To identify and detail the parameters andcharacteristics of strategic tourism sitesand the particular controls that shouldapply to such sites, with specific referenceto the suitability or otherwise of residentialoccupation.• To identify the conditions required tofacilitate the retention of strategic tourismsites, including those that are Crown Land,for a variety of tourism development,including the consideration of financialincentives such as land tax relief andretention in Crown ownership.• To develop a strategy with associatedpolicies, to combat the erosion of theState’s relatively few high-value (premium)tourism development sites, ensuring theiravailability to generate the future benefitsthat the tourism industry offers.• To consider the potential complementarybenefits that may derive from a residentialcomponent in a tourism development.• To identify issues associated with tourismuse of residential dwellings andrecommend any further work that may berequired at a State level.• To define the primary considerations to beincluded in strata title managementstatements or alternative arrangements fortourism developments to ensure that theyoperate as bona fide tourism facilities.• To develop a strategy to retain a variety oftourist accommodation on the State’s primetourism sites from five-star resorts tocamping and caravanning, which will offera noticeable competitive advantage overother states.4 Tourism Planning Taskforce Report