- Public consultation open for new worker accommodation on Rottnest Island
- $98.5 million committed in the 2024-25 State Budget over next eight years for planning and development of new staff accommodation
- Single-biggest investment by a State Government into the island, ensuring it continues to meet visitor expectations and operational demands
- Consultation open from 7 to 28 October 2024
A key milestone for the development of new worker accommodation on Rottnest Island has been reached, with public consultation for the project now open.
The Cook Labor Government committed $98.5 million in the 2024-25 State Budget over the next eight years for the planning and development of new staff accommodation for island businesses.
This will enable those businesses to provide better services to visitors by helping them to attract staff and operate outside the ferry timetable, while also freeing up more accommodation for visitors.
The proposal will provide roughly 149 new units, staged over several years, as well as modern, functional housing for the island's essential workforce.
It comes off the back of another record-breaking year, with more than 823,000 people visiting the island paradise by ferry in 2023-24.
That equates to an increase of almost 100,000 people, or nearly 13 per cent, on the previous financial year, and is almost double the annual visitation of 420,000 that was recorded under the previous Liberal-National Government in 2016-17.
Public consultation for the worker accommodation will run from 7 to 28 October 2024.
Community members are invited to submit feedback on the proposal via the RIA website at:www.ria.wa.gov.au/developments.
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Rottnest Island is a globally recognised tourism destination for Western Australia, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
"To continue meeting the increasing popularity of the island, it's essential we develop this new worker accommodation.
"We know increasing staff accommodation will further support local businesses that operate on the island to grow and provide better services to visitors, while also strengthening the island's economy.
"Of course, this development will also free up existing accommodation at places like Kingstown Barracks that currently house workers, which ultimately means more opportunity for Western Australians and tourists to stay on the island in the future.
"We're really proud of the work we've done and the investments we're making in critical infrastructure right across the island, from accommodation and jetty upgrades to the Settlement Mall upgrades and improved shelters, ensuring we set up Rottnest Island for many years to come."
