October 24, 2018 Safety audit needed for Rottnest Island public infrastructure The collapse of a jetty this morning on Rottnest Island highlights the McGowan Government’s failure to manage critical issues at one of the State’s most valuable tourism assets, according to Shadow Minister for Tourism Libby Mettam. Ms Mettam said problems with the structural integrity of the jetty had been known since 2014 and the former government was well advanced on plans for a marina to replace the jetty, however those plans had been shelved by the McGowan Government. “Such a significant infrastructure failure at what is supposed to be a jewel in the crown of our tourism offering in WA is just another in the litany of issues that have been overseen by the current Minister for Tourism,” Ms Mettam said. “I understand there have been some serious injuries as a result of this failure and my thoughts are with those recovering; we should count ourselves lucky no-one was killed.” Ms Mettam said the McGowan Government had not only shelved the plans to replace the jetty with a marina but had also cut maintenance funding for the island from $6.5 million in 2016 to $2.8 million in 2017. “This Government has spent millions of dollars promoting Rottnest Island in an effort to increase visitor numbers at the expense of maintaining the Island’s basic infrastructure,” she said. “This Government has given island admission discounts, facilitated an extra ferry service and paid international celebrities to visit but has failed to provide enough funding to ensure the safety of those who visit,” she said. “I‘m sure the Minister for Tourism will try to shirk all responsibility and blame the former government but the McGowan Government is now almost half way through its term and has had two budgets in which to sort these issues. “I am aware there are also concerns on the island around the safety of the seawall and other ageing infrastructure. “I call on the Minister to conduct an immediate safety audit of all public infrastructure on Rottnest Island and outline immediately what his plans are to repair or replace both the army jetty and the main jetty.” Ends |
