Tourism Planning Taskforce Report - Western Australian Planning ...

Chapter 8Taskforce recommendationsestablishment of an increased focus on landuse planning for tourism. Issues associatedwith the development approvals process areanalysed in the report Review of ProjectDevelopment Approvals System - FinalReport. This report also providesrecommendations for improving the approvalsprocess. While focused primarily on resourcedevelopment, it considers tourism projects andmakes a number of recommendations ofrelevance to tourism development.The difficulties of initiation of regional tourismprojects often can relate to the isolated natureof the development site and lack of basicinfrastructure. Existing headworks assistanceschemes operated through the Department ofIndustry and Resources have been effective inthe initiation of some tourism projects. The fullbenefit of such schemes for tourism willrequire a stronger recognition of the specificrequirements and benefits of tourismdevelopment. In achieving this, theestablishment of an additional headworksassistance scheme that is specific to tourismprojects and the development of strategic sitesis recommended.While the taskforce has made a number ofspecific recommendations it considers willassist the sustainable development of theindustry it has noted that the primaryrequirement is an increased recognition of theeconomic importance of tourism to the State.In this respect, appropriate tourism projects onstrategic sites are proposed for recognition asof State significance and requiring specificfacilitation through a co-ordinated approvalprocess. This role and the structure to achieveit is most appropriately developed andimplemented by Tourism WA in delivering itscore function “to develop or to facilitate thedevelopment of new tourism facilities andimprove or facilitate the improvement ofexisting tourism facilities in Western Australia”(WATC Act 1983).Recommendation 17:That the Government establish an improvedframework at the State level for the facilitationand support of tourism development onstrategic tourism sites that recognises thebroad social and economic importance andpotential environmental benefits of the industryand which includes:• The introduction of a funded tourismdevelopment specific headworksassistance scheme for the support of thedevelopment of 100 per cent touristaccommodation projects on strategictourism sites.• An increased focus by the StateGovernment on State tourism infrastructuredevelopment.• The recognition of 100 per cent touristaccommodation projects on strategic sitesas potential projects of State significanceand establishment of a strategic tourismprojects body through the Department ofPremier and Cabinet in conjunction withTourism WA to provide an integratedapprovals system for such projects.• Initiation of a project designed to influencethe position of financial institutions inrespect to the funding of tourismdevelopments, and collaborate with anyFederal or other State Governmentinitiative in this regard.• Review tenure arrangements forgovernment release of tourismdevelopment sites to ensure financialrequirements for project development canbe met while retaining primary control onland use and development wherenecessary.• A preparedness by government tonegotiate incentives schemes for 100 percent tourist accommodation projects onstrategic tourism sites that recognises thepotential for low net returns during thedevelopment and early operation of suchprojects and which considers the use ofdeferral agreements in respect to Statetaxes.8.3.1 Effect of GST on tourisminvestmentThe introduction of the GST has had adetrimental effect on investment in strata titledtourism developments as GST is payable onthe purchase of individual units, in addition toreturns on operation of the business that theunit may form part of. This approach by theAustralian Taxation Office recognises thatunder some strata management arrangements84 Tourism Planning Taskforce Report