Tourism Planning Taskforce Report - Western Australian Planning ...

ForewordTourism generates jobs and wealth for Western Australians. In 2005, over 6.5 million people visited theState generating approximately $4billion in income. Direct and indirect tourism employment is estimatedat 72,000 people - approximately 7.7 percent of the Western Australian workforce. Tourism is particularlyimportant in providing jobs in regional areas.In September 2002 we established the Tourism Planning Taskforce to investigate whether our planningrules properly catered for this industry – how we protected tourism sites from inappropriate residentialdevelopment, how we could better zone caravan parks and what impact strata titling had on tourismfacilities.The Taskforce investigations provided the opportunity for the factors and issues that have shaped thedevelopment of the State’s unique and highly valued tourism industry to be explored. This in turn led tothe setting of key principles, which will ensure a sustainable tourism industry, based on appropriatedevelopment and the maintenance of affordable and equitable access to the community’s most valuedholiday locations.The key principle identified is that a sustainable tourism industry, with its many inherent benefits,requires tourism development to be undertaken for tourism purposes. To achieve this, theTaskforce has recommended an increased focus on land-use planning for tourism, formulated at aregional and local level. Also recommended is a State framework that recognises the high value thecommunity places on strategic sites, and emphasises the continuing use of these for tourism purposes.This Report presents a significant reform of tourism planning in Western Australia. The Government’sendorsement of the Report recognises that greater emphasis will be given to land use planning fortourism in Western Australia.In releasing this Report, I would like to acknowledge the Hon Adele Farina MLC and the taskforcemembers for their considerable efforts in its formulation. Their diverse range of expertise has resulted ina balanced and comprehensive suite of recommendations.I commend the Report to you and look forward to a continuing role in its implementation.Alannah MacTiernan MLAMinister for Planning and InfrastructureTourism Planning Taskforce Reporti