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.

Rottnest Island’s workforce is critical to maintaining essential services and supporting visitor operations. The current housing facilities are insufficient to meet demand, particularly during peak periods. This new worker accommodation will address those needs and help ensure the island can continue delivering quality experiences to visitors.

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 worker accommodation will serve a range of essential island workers including facilities and maintenance contractors, police, nurses, teachers, island business staff, and RIA staff. There is an increased demand for staff accommodation to support the businesses operating on the island.

This accommodation will ensure the island has sufficient housing for its workforce, which is essential for the continued operation of businesses and services. By supporting workers, we enhance the island’s ability to maintain high-quality services for visitors and residents alike, contributing to the island’s long-term sustainability.

The new worker accommodation will be located on Parker Point Road.

This location was identified as part of the Rottnest Island Management Plan 2023-28's Land Use Plan, following a period of public consultation. This Land Use Plan clearly sets out the boundary of the settlement for the purpose of accommodation development. Importantly, the remaining 85 per cent of the island is a designated reserve for the purpose of conservation and recreation.

The primary site identified for new worker accommodation at Parker Point Road offers topography suitable for development and can be easily serviced with utilities and infrastructure.

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. 

RIA is committed to sustainability, and environmental considerations are central to this project. We are currently working on site assessments for vegetation, geotechnical, and bushfire risks. Any necessary mitigation measures will be incorporated into the final design.

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.

We are working closely with relevant authorities to ensure all environmental risks are mitigated, and the development appropriately addresses sustainability guidelines.

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 occurred between 7 October and 28 October 2024. All feedback will be reviewed and considered in the development of the final design. A summary of feedback will be available on this page once collated and reviewed by Rottnest Island Authority.

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.