State government departments urged to give tourism operators a break
SA’s tourism chief says government inconsistency is hurting operators who are trying to do business.
SA News
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The SA Tourism Commission has taken aim at government department red tape and legislation that the sector calls a “barrier to growth”.
In a written submission to the current Productivity Commission inquiry into the industry SATC chief executive Rodney Harrex also criticised government inconsistency faced by tourism operators who were “planning, starting and growing” their business.
“The tourism sector is subject to a broad range of regulations across a broad number of agencies and legislation that is often considered a barrier to growth,’’ the submission states.
“A high level of complexity associated (with this) can often be challenging and costly.
“There is often a perceived lack of consistency across departments when it comes to case management, provision of information and communication.
“Often industry get transferred between departments.”
Similar criticisms were also levelled by The Caravan Parks Association of SA (Parks SA), and the South Australian Wine Industry Association.
“It is felt that government departments are not set up to adequately deal with the small to medium sized business person who needs assistance with planning and development approvals,” Parks SA general manager Fiona Williams said.
She called for a single point of contact within government to deal with problems around; rezoning, crown land access, road access, and fire safety.
South Australian Wine Industry Association spokesman Brian Smedley criticised the approval process faced by tourism operators.
He cited 51 acts of Parliament and 15 government agencies which industry businesses had to deal with.
“Planning laws, liquor licensing laws and the involvement of local government councils is having the greatest impact on the wine industry in the tourism context,” he wrote.
“The performance of local councils appears patchy and inconsistent.
“The SA government should take a more active role in measuring the performance of local
councils and drive process improvements and greater consistency.
“There is scope for improving how some (state government) regulatory agencies engage with industry.”
Mr Smedley wrote: “Wineries rate planning policy and processes as having a negative or very negative impact on business and the ability to grow”.
“For example, expanding a cellar door sales venue, adding a deck to enable outdoor wine tastings or a function venue to enable weddings and other functions on site, commonly is viewed as being very complex, costly and slow.
“The process for obtaining approval by councils or Department of Planning, Transport and
Infrastructure for roadside signage, including business signage and tourism-related signage
to indicate the location of a winery has been cited as difficult or very difficult by members.”
Mr Smedley cited an abandoned accommodation project by a winery, despite another in a nearby council’s area being approved.
The Productivity Commission will release a draft report for final consultation in July and a final report in October.
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