Governance
The legislation that governs how we operate
Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) is governed by the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987 and the Rottnest Island Regulations 1988.
Understanding the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987
The Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987 (the Act) is the overarching document that guides how we operate. It’s administered by the Minister for Tourism on behalf of the Government of Western Australia.
Section 11 of the Act states that the control and management of the island is vested in us, enabling us to:
- Provide and operate recreational and holiday facilities on the island.
- Protect the island’s flora and fauna.
- Maintain and protect the natural environment and the man-made resources of the island and, to the extent that our resources allow, repair the island's natural environment.
View the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987
How we manage the island itself
Some aspects of how we manage the island are laid out in the Rottnest Island Regulations 1988. This covers everything from entry fees, mooring conditions, and fines to use of vehicles on the island, use of aircraft, control of activities and dealing with offensive behaviour.
View the Rottnest Island Regulations 1988
Management structure
The Rottnest Island Authority Act (1987) provides for the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other staff. After RIA’s incorporation into the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) in 2017, the Director General of DBCA was designated as the CEO for the purposes of the Act.
The day-to-day functions of the CEO are undertaken by the Executive Director.
Our Board
The Board consists of a chair and six other members, who are appointed by the Governor upon nomination by the Minister for Tourism. The Board directs our Corporate Executive team and staff in managing operations on the island. Appointment criteria for each of the board members is specified in the Act, and ensures that the board consists of:
- One Chairperson
- A member experienced in conserving the environment
- A member experienced in preserving buildings of historic value
- A member with sound commercial experience
- A member who’s a regular user of the Island for recreational purposes
Performance management framework
As a part of DBCA, we also operate under its outcome-based management (OBM) framework, which is aligned to the State Government’s goal of “Investing in WA’s Future: Tackling climate action and supporting the arts, culture, and sporting sectors to promote vibrant communities.”
Key effectiveness and efficiency indicators include the RIA-specific indicators that form part of the DBCA budget statements, along with an additional approved indicator.
Public Interest Disclosure
The Public Interest Disclosure Act provides legal protection from civil, criminal, or disciplinary action, to those people who expose improper or corrupt behaviour in the course of their duties.
The Act places strict requirements on RIA to exercise existing powers to investigate complaints, take remedial action where necessary, and keep whistleblowers informed of the action taken, or to be taken. Critically, we also have to ensure that whistleblowers are free from victimisation.
You can find out more about the Act from the Public Sector Commission.
How do I make a public interest disclosure?
If you want to make a Public Interest Disclosure, please report it to the nominated Public Interest Disclosure Officer:
Jeremy Lim
Manager Audit, Integrity and Risk
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
[email protected]
(+61 8) 9219 9166
Alternatively you can mail your report to any of the above to the following postal address: PO Box 693, Fremantle WA 6959
Disclosures can be made anonymously, if you prefer.
It’s important that you read and fully understand your rights and obligations of the Act before you make a Public Interest Disclosure. Advice on this can be obtained through our Public Interest Disclosure Officers, or the Public Sector Commission’s Public Interest Disclosure Advice and Referral Line at: (+61) 1800 676 607.
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 1992 gives the public a right to apply for access to any documents that we hold. To find out more about Freedom of Information (FOI) and how to lodge an application, please see our Information Statement.