ROTTNEST
MARINA
795. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the answer to question without notice 429 and the
minister's recent statement ''Tide is high for Rottnest resort
and marina''.
(1) Given the
TNS survey of boat users found that the main reason given by boat owners for
not visiting Rottnest is lack of interest rather than lack of boating
facilities, is it possible that a new marina will not increase visitor numbers
to Rottnest?
(2) What is
the minister's comment on TNS's finding that the boat owners
most interested in renting a pen in a new marina are in the high income
brackets of $180 000–$260 000 and $260 000-plus?
(3) Can the
minister table the results of the survey by Painted Dog Research into boating
visitors' views of Rottnest Island, conducted in March 2015?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
Hon
DONNA FARAGHER replied:
On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Tourism, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for
Tourism.
(1) No. The
new marina will increase places to moor at the island—something that is
always in demand, with around 500 people currently on a mooring wait list. The
TNS research identified that—this is the terminology used in that
report—48 per cent of boat users surveyed had not visited Rottnest for
no particular reason, they just had not got around to it; 11 per cent were not
able to moor there, and five per �cent
did not like mooring there. Only 10 per cent preferred going to other places
and seven per cent did not particularly like Rottnest. A new marina will
improve the experience for boat users and is anticipated to encourage
visitation.
(2) This is
not a surprise and is indicative of any marina. People who can afford larger
vessels will be in a higher income bracket. It is important to note that
Rottnest Island currently caters for all boat sizes for casual, authorised and
licensee users and will continue to do so into the future. In particular, the
proposed marina will enable families, parents and children to access the island
with their belongings both safely and easily.
(3) I table the Rottnest Island Authority boating visitor
report.
(4) Not applicable.
[See paper 3168.]