Worker Accommodation

Rottnest Island Authority is planning to develop worker accommodation to support island businesses, enhance visitor experience, and meet growing tourism demands for Wadjemup / Rottnest Island.

Overview

Worker accommodation plays a critical role in supporting a successful tourism industry on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. A shortage of staff housing has the potential to limit business growth and visitor service quality.

Recognising this challenge, the Rottnest Island Management Plan 2023-28 outlines the need to facilitate new accommodation and hospitality developments. To support these initiatives, additional worker accommodation will be necessary.

Rottnest Island Authority is planning to develop new worker accommodation that will support island businesses, enhance the visitor experience, and meet growing tourism needs for Wadjemup / Rottnest Island.

The proposed development will provide self-contained accommodation for up to 336 Rottnest Island workers. Implemented in stages to minimise disruption and align with increasing visitor numbers, the project is scheduled for completion by 2030.

Key benefits

Provides critical housing for workers, ensuring island businesses can operate effectively and meet visitor demand

Enables extended operating hours and services

Assists island businesses to attract and retain a skilled workforce

Ensures visitor accommodation remains available for visitor bookings

Key dates

Construction begins: 2025 (TBC)

Estimated completion: 2030

Frequently asked questions

Rottnest Island Authority is the developer for the project, with the units also to be managed by RIA.

The new worker accommodation units will be leased to commercial businesses operating on the island, in accordance with the Rottnest Island Authority Worker Housing Policy.

The project will offer four fully self-contained accommodation types: 1 Bed Studios, 1 Bedroom units, 2 Bedroom units, and 3 Bedroom units. This mix allows for flexibility as seasonal demands change and addresses the varying needs of different businesses and operational contexts.

Works are expected to commence in late 2025 with the project being delivered in stages over several years with completion expected by 2030. This phased approach optimises logistics, costs, and timely delivery while planning for minimal disruption to island activities.

A Construction and Traffic Management Plan will be in place during construction to minimise impacts to island visitors and businesses. Works will be conducted during normal working hours with the impact of construction limited to traffic, noise, general machinery and construction workers on the island. 

A clearing permit has been submitted to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) for assessment. Geotechnical investigations will be completed to further inform the project and help respect the island's environmental values.

The development will be designed in accordance with Rottnest's Design Guidelines, recognising the constraints of the site. The development is dependent upon relevant environmental approvals, including a native vegetation clearing permit from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

The proposed development footprint has been surveyed and no Aboriginal cultural heritage sites or material has been found. Consultation with Traditional Owners for the proposed site has been undertaken and will continue. 

Public consultation is open from 7 October to 5 pm (AWST) Monday 28 October. Read the Worker Accommodation consultation page for more information.

RIA will be seeking responses via an open tender process available via TendersWA for the staged construction, with relevant works packages being released once design elements for the site have been finalised.

Contact and further information

You can reach us on the following details to find out more about this project. Our contact lines are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5pm, excluding public holidays.

+61 8 9432 9300

[email protected]

Funding

This project has been made possible with $98.5 million funding from the State Government of Western Australia.