ADELAIDE SHORES

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (15:17): My question is to the Minister for Urban Development and Planning. Will the minister advise the chamber of recent awards granted to the West Beach Trust?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (15:18): I thank the honourable member for his important question. The West Beach Trust, which is known to South Australians as Adelaide Shores, manages the 135-hectare West Beach Recreation Reserve on behalf of the South Australian government as a sporting, cultural and recreational complex.

This complex incorporates the Adelaide Shores Resort and the BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park, along with high quality facilities for golf, boating, sport and functions. There would be few South Australians who have not visited Adelaide Shores, either for a family getaway or as part of a school or sporting group outing. These combined operations bring an estimated 500,000 people a year to the western suburbs of Adelaide for holidays, events and recreation. This high level of visitors to Adelaide Shores in turn generates significant income for South Australia.

The precinct was once again recognised as an industry leader on 18 November, when it was successful in two categories of the 2010 South Australian Tourism Awards. Adelaide Shores Resort won the Deluxe Accommodation category within a large field of 11 entrants. The BIG4 Adelaide Shores Caravan Park was successful in the Tourist and Caravan Parks category against a high quality field including a past category winner. Adelaide Shores also associated with the Festivals and Events category at the 2010 South Australian Tourism Awards for successfully providing the Special Olympics Australia IX National Games in Adelaide with its games village.

In April this year the Adelaide Shores precinct accommodated about 850 athletes, provided catering and hosted four sports. The West Beach Trust has advised me that the provision of a single games village at the Adelaide Shores precinct was a first for the Special Olympics. The South Australian Tourism Awards are considered the peak awards for excellence within the tourism industry. These awards reward innovation and foster best business practice by setting benchmarks to which all tourism operators can aspire. The South Australian Tourism Awards are peer endorsement for the Adelaide Shores capital investment program, commitment to environmental sustainability and strategic vision for the precinct as a premier holiday destination and community sporting hub.

The dedicated management team at the West Beach Trust, headed by Kate Williams, who succeeded Gareth Smith in May this year as chief executive officer, along with all their staff are commended for their enthusiasm and hard work in winning the South Australian Tourism Awards. I also take this opportunity to commend the work undertaken by the West Beach Trust Board, chaired by Mr Bernie Lange. Adelaide Shores continues to provide good value, high quality tourism accommodation. Adelaide Shores Caravan Park has maintained its AAA 4.5 star rating and Adelaide Shores resort has retained its AAA four-star rating.

It is pleasing that the West Beach Trust, trading as Adelaide Shores, is continually looking to improve so that it can retain its enviable reputation as a provider of high quality tourist accommodation. A program for continuing investment into new and refurbished accommodation has been crucial to the success of Adelaide Shores. Adelaide Shores resort's ongoing refurbishment program has resulted in 30 villas and eight holiday units receiving comprehensive interior upgrades. In November last year Adelaide Shores Caravan Park introduced an innovative new product—the first eco-tents in South Australia—and in January this year added 11 new deluxe cabins with five-star energy efficiency. I know the team at Adelaide Shores will not rest on its laurels as it continually strives to provide outstanding tourism, sport and community facilities to the people of South Australia and visitors to our state.