The federal government has pledged $17.2 million in funding for Rottnest Island, while the state government also announced today it would inject $16.2 million into the holiday destination.
The federal government has pledged $17.2 million in funding for Rottnest Island, while the state government also announced today it would inject $16.2 million into the holiday destination.
Rottnest will be the first project to receive funding through the ‘tourism icons package’ announced in the recent federal budget.
Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Simon Birmingham announced the $17.2 million in funding for infrastructure and museum upgrades.
Upgrades for island visitor facilities including jetties, wharves, piers, roads, sun shelters, walking trails, signage, the lighthouse, and railway will receive $12.2 million.
The remainder of the funds will be allocated towards a development of the Rottenest Island Museum, including enhanced facilities, curation and interpretation.
Today’s announcement is part of a $50 million package announced in the federal budget for tourism infrastructure and upgrades across Australia over the next three years.
Mr Birmingham said Rottnest Island was a tourism jewel of Western Australia and it was important the Island’s infrastructure continued to keep pace with its increasing popularity as a tourist destination.
“Rottnest Island has seen a huge surge in visitor numbers in recent years with over 770,000 people visiting the Island last year,” he said.
“It’s a major drawcard for both domestic and international visitors given the wide variety of experiences on offer, natural beauty and wildlife, world-class beaches and rich Aboriginal cultural and heritage.
“We know tourism is a major contributor to the WA economy with domestic and international visitors spending a whopping $9.6 billion last year, injecting billions into regional areas.”
Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said he was delighted to see Rottnest Island identified as a national tourism icon.
“It is great to see Rottnest Island, and Western Australia, leading the list of national tourism icons and destinations to benefit from the $50 million tourism icons package announced in the recent federal budget,” he said.
“The funding will enable Rottnest Island visitation to grow while protecting and enhancing its unique environment, culture and Aboriginal heritage.”
Today, the state government also announced it would invest in Rottnest, as part of the state budget.
It pledged $16.2 million to completely redevelop the Fuel Jetty and construct a barge landing at the Army Jetty, which it said would provide an alternative for logistics and freight traffic, helping to ease pressure on the Main Jetty at Thomson Bay.
The funding boost is in addition to a $12 million tourism package, announced as part of the upcoming state budget, in a bid to attract more international visitors to WA.
Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said the state government continued to invest in tourism to create jobs and diversify the WA economy.
"As we continue to welcome record visitors to Rottnest, a $16.2 million injection will help the Authority to continue to build on the island's appeal and sustainment into the future,” he said.
