ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 Contents
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ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 Contents Message to the Minister 04 Sales, Marketing & Product Development 40 Visitation 40 Agency Overview 06 Marketing 42 Events 44 Executive Summary 06 Accommodation 44 Message from the Chairman 06 Rottnest Visitor Centre 46 Message from the Chief Executive Officer 10 Pedal and Flipper 46 Operational Structure 14 Tours 46 Agency Performance 18 Cultural Heritage, Building Conservation and Interpretation 48 Interpretation 50 Performance Management Framework 18 Marine Facilities 50 Rottnest Island Authority’s Outcome-Based Management Framework 18 Cultural Heritage Collection Care 50 Shared Responsibilities With Other Agencies 18 Reconciliation 51 Report on Operations 20 Volunteers 52 Governance Strategy & Support 20 Education 52 ICT Strategy 22 Financial Summary 54 Rottnest Island Management Plan 2009-14 24 Project & Contract Services 32 Significant Issues and Trends 56 Infrastructure, Utilities & Services 32 Visitation 56 Project & Contract Services 33 Economic Viability 56 Facilities & Utilities Management 33 Sustainability 33 Disclosures & Legal Compliance 58 Power 33 Independent Audit Opinion 60 Water Services 34 Financial Statements 62 Liquid Petroleum Gas 34 Waste Management 34 Key Performance Indicators 107 Licensing 34 Marine & Terrestrial Reserve 36 Other Financial Disclosures 113 Natural Environment 36 Other Legal Requirements 115 Terrestrial Conservation 36 Emergency Services 36 Marine Conservation 37 Research Programs 37 Environmental Management 37 Park Services 38 Wadjemup Walk Trail 39 2 Rottnest Island Authority | Annual Report | 2013-2014 “ The first 17.6kms of the Wadjemup Walk Trail was opened to improve the visitor experience” 3 Message to the Minister The Hon Liza Harvey MLA Minister for Police; Tourism; Road Safety; Women's Interests. In accordance with section 61(1) of the Financial Management Act 2006 and in fulfilment of obligations imposed on the Authority by the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987, we hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the Annual Report of the Rottnest Island Authority for the year ended 30 June 2014. This annual report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Management Act 2006. John Driscoll Stephen Lauder Chairman Deputy Chairman 23 September 2014 23 September 2014 4 Rottnest Island Authority | Annual Report | 2013-2014 “ Visitation satisfaction in 2013/14 was maintained with Rottnest Island having met or exceeded the expectations of 97% of its visitors” 5 Agency Overview Message from the Chairman In my second contribution as Chairman of A significant increase in the proportion A wide-ranging simplification of The RIA was also recognised by our peers the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA), it is of visitors aged between 25-34 years is a entrenched booking processes has at the annual WA Tourism Awards with a my pleasure to be able to report a number good indication that our brand refresh and included doing away with the traditional Gold Award in Specialist Tourism Services of pleasing achievements for the year. new core branding positioning statement, ballot – a source of confusion for those not for the Island’s Bike & Hire service; and “Rottnest Is the simple pleasures in life”, “in the know”. silver and bronze medals for our unique The RIA achieved a positive net cashflow is resonating particularly well with this accommodation and cultural heritage. The of $0.5m for the year, well in excess of our Achieving growth on Rottnest Island age group, creating new generations of Bike & Hire service went on to win Bronze target in a year of significant investment cannot be allowed to adversely impact the Rottnest lovers. at the national tourism awards. ($6.7m) into facilities and infrastructure Island’s unique heritage and environment. on the Island. We achieved a modest but encouraging Securing Bronze certification from global During the year, a new five year Rottnest turnaround against a history of stagnating benchmark Earthcheck for a third year Island Management Plan (RIMP) has been Our regular customer surveys continue to visitor numbers. Visitor growth of 4.3% is indicative of our continuing efforts to drafted and presented to the public for reflect the high degree of enjoyment our in a dynamic industry and with the protect and conserve the environment. comment to replace the 2009-2014 RIMP visitors have in a day or stay on Rottnest added challenge of the Island’s ageing A push towards the installation of a solar which has been successfully implemented. with 98% recording “Satisfied” or “Highly infrastructure is an indication that we are farm received a boost during the year A sub-strategy within the Draft 2014- Satisfied” in the final quarter of the year. headed in the right direction. with the acquisition of solar panels from 2019 RIMP are the recommendations Visitor perceptions of Rottnest Verve Energy. In a combined approach of a Boating Management Strategy It is to the credit of CEO, Paolo Amaranti, accommodation delivering a value for with Hydro-Tasmania, we are on target to and $600,000 marina feasibility study and his staff that both visitor numbers and money experience also reached a record achieve an impressive increase from 30% which received majority public support yield have improved. All Key Performance high in the last quarter of the financial year. to 45% penetration of renewable energy. in 2013. In a first for Rottnest, the draft Indicators under the CEO Performance Our efforts towards sustainability were not RIMP is accompanied by a 20 year vision Agreement have been met and in many only recognised at the WA Tourism Awards document, Rottnest Island Master Plan – cases exceeded. Conservation targets and with a second consecutive Gold Award in A 20 Year Vision (MP20). outstanding visitor satisfaction levels have this category; but with a Gold medal from been achieved, whilst changes to the RIA’s the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) structure have been implemented enabling at its regional excellence awards. a greater focus on marketing, sales and product development. 6 Rottnest Island Authority | Annual Report | 2013-2014 “ During 2013/14 the RIA achieved a positive net cashflow of $0.5m" 7 Agency Overview Rottnest’s success as a tourist including an address from the Premier’s I take the opportunity to congratulate the In closing, I would like to thank the many destination is threatened by an representative, Veterans Minister, the Hon Hon Liza Harvey MLA on her appointment volunteers who contribute their time increasing need for greater investment Joe M Francis MLA. Although the weather during the year as Minister for Tourism; and expertise to conserving the Island’s into its ageing infrastructure; more was somewhat unkind, it was a fitting and to say farewell to the Hon Dr Kim environment, and to providing our visitors accommodation choices and increased tribute to the men and women who served Hames MLA, ever a strong supporter with tours and school holiday activities. mooring opportunities. The MP20 seeks on Rottnest. In the centenary year of the of the Island and particularly of the golf I would like to commend the Island’s to provide a long-term vision which formation of the ANZACs, it was a privilege course upgrade. We hope to see him back business community in reorganising itself strikes a balance between affordability for me to once again officiate at the Dawn on Rottnest for many a round or two! into the Rottnest Chamber of Commerce. and investment in the Island’s natural Ceremony on Rottnest – a tradition first We look forward to working closely with As a long-time, regular visitor and Rottnest and built assets, while not compromising started in 1922. the Chamber to ensure all businesses lover, it is my continuing pleasure to be its unique environment and holiday on the Island flourish in order to provide My Board colleagues and I acknowledge able to contribute to the Island’s future experience. Achieving financial an ever increasing range of facilities and the work and excellence behind the three alongside a committed and dedicated sustainability continues to present a services for Island visitors. gold PATA awards for marketing and Board. I thank my colleagues for another considerable challenge for the RIA. cultural heritage, as well as for sustainable year of intense hard work and shared It was my great pleasure during the year tourism; State Heritage Awards for passion. I congratulate Board members John Driscoll to officiate at the 75th Anniversary of the Outstanding Conservation and nomination Steve Lauder and Peter Hick, and CEO Chairman Firing of the Guns, attended by members to the UNESCO Asia Pacific Cultural Paolo Amaranti on their reappointments of the Australian Defence Force, WWII Heritage Conservation Awards. during the year. veterans and members of the public, 8 RottnestRottnest Island Island Authority Authority | Annual | Annual Report Report | | 2013-2014 " I would like to thank the many volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to conserving the Island’s environment” John Driscoll – Chairman 9 Agency Overview Message from the Chief Executive Officer I am pleased to include my 10th contribution Major improvements to Island facilities • Extension of the Visitor Centre. Our preparedness and response plans, as the CEO to the Rottnest Island Authority and services; • Installation of a new 250kL coordinated through the Rottnest Island (RIA) Annual Report. • The development of several key containerised seawater desalination Local Emergency Management