Business Case and Master Plan Activation of the Loopline Railway & Museum Precinct

Introduction
This Request for Quotation follows a Feasibility and Options Study (the Study) commissioned by the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (the City) in 2019.
The Study explored ways to maximise tourism market potential and create an identifiable tourism product at the Hannans North Tourist Mine (HNTM) and the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame (HoF) in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
In accordance with its Draft Tourism Strategy 2020-2024, the City has been proactively working with stakeholders to resolve and leverage the potential uses of the facilities as major tourism assets into the future.
The City recognises that decisions related to HNTM and HoF ultimately reside with the responsible owners. The City is therefore broadly investigating options to reimagine local attractions, and to increase tourist appreciation and visitation on a local, state, national and international scale.
The Loopline Railway & Museum (the Loopline) represents an ideal location for a reconceived attraction given its rich history and close proximity to the evolving Burt Street tourism precinct in Boulder.
The City seeking to appoint a suitably qualified consultant (the Consultant) to investigate options for this culturally significant site and inform future investment decision-making to support the holistic overhaul of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s tourism industry.

Phase Two Objectives
The intent of the Project is to develop a pathway for the future development of a major tourist attraction at the Loopline, by;
1. Reviewing the current conditions of the Loopline site, including identification of locational matters and statutory land use considerations;
2. Considering which other attractions could reasonably be relocated or established in the area;
3. Determining the feasibility of relocating local tourism infrastructure to the site; and
4. Developing a well-considered implementation pathway for the activation of the Loopline.

Background
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, situated in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, has a population of around 30,000 people.
Gold was first discovered in Kalgoorlie-Boulder in 1893, leading to one of the largest gold rushes in Australian history, and international prominence as the Golden Mile.
Established by the merger of two neighbouring towns (Kalgoorlie and Boulder) in 1989, the City today is a modern and thriving municipality with a global mining industry, vibrant economy and thriving business community.

Growing Kalgoorlie-Boulder Growth Plan
In April 2017, the City released its Growth Plan to ensure future growth and prosperity of the region. The Plan contains three key themes.
1. Build on mining - The mining industry is a competitive strength of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and must be maintained and enhanced.
2. Economic diversification - Diversify the economy beyond mining, by entering into existing and emerging industries.
3. Enhance liveability - Ensure there is a growing and diverse local population and workforce to drive and support the growing economy.

Seven focus areas underpin the key themes. This included “Develop and Promote Tourism” to highlight the importance of a quality tourism product and an effective marketing strategy for Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Strategic Community Plan 2020-2030
In 2020, the City released its Strategic Community Plan 2020-2030 outlining the long term vision, values, aspirations and objectives for the community over the next ten years.
Part of the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework, the Plan is the primary document guiding the City’s strategic decision-making. The Plan includes commitments to promote and support local tourism opportunities and to prioritise growth in the tourism economy.
This includes developing viable opportunities for asset management, investment attraction and the development of a tourism strategy.

Draft Tourism Strategy 2020-2024
The Strategy will guide the future direction of tourism in Kalgoorlie-Boulder though six strategic areas of priority:
1. Tourism Assets;
2. Product Development;
3. Marketing and Promotion;
4. Industry Capability and Development;
5. Data and Information Distribution; and
6. Advocacy and Leadership.
Priority One includes the need to resolve the future ownership and operations of the
HNTM and HoF and review the potential of Boulder to house an alternative tourism
asset.

Feasibility and Options Study for Hannans North Tourist Mine and Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame
As outlined in the Project introduction, in 2019 the City engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to undertake a Feasibility and Options Study to identify future options for the HNTM and HoF sites.
The Study explored opportunities for leveraging existing HNTM and HoF infrastructure and facilities, including potential new and alternative tourism uses beyond that provided for at the sites.
The Study identified:
• Which options were most cost-effective, practical and advantageous for increasing visitation and revenue;
• What finance, resourcing and management is required to progress each option; and
• Which parties should intervene to progress the options including public and private participation.
The Study included a multi criteria analysis and a short list of options for feasibility analysis including the potential for HNTM to relocate to an alternative site. The Consultant should not constrain their investigation to the review of this option only.

Study Location
Hamilton Str