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The Western Australian Government is promoting plans for a new marina and resort on Rottnest Island.

Part of 20-year plan for the popular island, located 18 kilometres offshore from Fremantle, the two projects will provide up to 150 accommodation units and 250 berths for vessels at the southern end of Thompson Bay.

An expression of interest was released to the public on Wednesday (12th August), with a proponent from the private sector expected to be selected by the end of the year.

Construction is expected to begin once the project has been given environmental approvals, something which could prove difficult as the island is categorised as a Class A nature reserve.

Western Australian Tourism Minister Kim Hames claimed that the development will not impact greatly on the island's ecosystems, stating "the area of land that has been provided for accommodation has already been approved.

"Of course, there's environmental issues with putting a marina down that end, but the island has done a lot of work already working with the Department of Environment to make sure what they put forward is appropriate and suitable for that area.

"There's already boats moored there, so some of them will have to move but this provides a significant increase in berths for boats."

Last year, more than 500 people were on a waiting list to secure a mooring space in the island's bay.

Dr Hames said the construction of the marina will open the area up to smaller boats, adding "this will allow people to hire a berth and be able to offload families and eskies and holiday gear directly onto a jetty and then walk ashore."

For more information go to www.rottnestisland.com

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