State Reveals $150m Upgrade for WA’s Rottnest Island

One of the West’s most popular tourist destinations—Rottnest Island—will undergo a $150-million infrastructure upgrade.

The funding, part of the WA Government’s 2024-25 Budget, includes $98.5 million—which the Government said was the biggest investment by the state into the island—over the next eight years for the planning and development of new staff accommodation for island businesses.

This will enable island businesses to provide better services to visitors, by helping them to attract staff and operate outside ferry timetables, the Government said.

Wastewater infrastructure across the island will be upgraded at a cost of $15.8 million, while $31.9 million will be spent to relocate barge and freight operations from the Main Jetty to South Thomson Bay, with the redevelopment of the Army Groyne.

This will reduce overlapping activities at the Main Jetty and improve safety by reducing interactions between vehicles and pedestrians, while also providing a more welcoming arrival point for visitors, according to the Government.

And $4.3 million will be spent at Rottnest Airport to resurface the runway and install perimeter fencing.

▲ A quokka and baby: the friendly marsupials are part of the appeal of Rottnest Island, 19km off the coast of Freemantle.

“This significant investment into essential infrastructure will ensure Rottnest Island remains a destination of choice for Western Australians and tourists,” a Government spokesperson said.

“This investment is in addition to existing funding of $168.7 million for infrastructure improvements across the island, including electricity, water, and tourism facilities.” 

About 800,000 people visited Rottnest Island in 2023 by ferry.