Rottnest Island Management Plan

The vision is for Wadjemup / Rottnest Island to be a visitor destination of national significance recognised for its sustainable recreational, environmental, and cultural heritage values.

Overview of the RIMP 2023-28

Wadjemup / Rottnest Island has seen significant renewal in recent years, receiving funding for key projects to improve infrastructure, utilities, and important visitor amenities. The latest iteration of the RIMP has been developed at a time when the island is experiencing dynamic change, and this operating environment has been well-considered.

The current RIMP focuses on the visitor experience, sustainable infrastructure, cultural heritage, the island’s environment, and how we build meaningful partnerships.

The five key focus areas

The RIMP 2023-28 covers five key focus areas. These areas have been chosen to ensure we:

• Diversify our visitor base, enhancing the experience for everyone visiting the island;
• Strengthen current infrastructure and improve service on the island, while planning for future upgrades;
• Respect and engage with Wadjemup’s cultural heritage; 
• Explore and conserve the island environment; and 
• Nurture the important relationships that support us in managing the island. 

Here’s what we’re doing in these five key focus areas. 

Diversify the visitor base and enhance the visitor experience

Wadjemup’s spectacular waters and unique environment are a significant drawcard. But we know that this isn’t all the island offers. So to develop a more resilient visitor economy during the next RIMP period, our goal is to diversify the visitor base and enhance the visitor experience with a range of new accommodation options and hospitality venues. We're also putting plans in place to target new market segments in order to smooth visitation into shoulder and low seasons.

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Deliver sustainable infrastructure and services

We’re responsible for the island’s water, power, gas, wastewater, and general rubbish and recycling programs. We also manage the island’s roads, shared pathways, heritage railway, marine infrastructure, buildings, aerodrome, significant heritage sites, and a large percentage of the island’s visitor accommodation. Improving this critical infrastructure and the associated services ensures the island is able to meet increasing demand in the future, with sustainable utilities for the long term.

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Respect and engage with the island's cultural heritage

Wadjemup has a rich and multifaceted heritage, all of which plays part in its story. As well as preserving the military and maritime heritage, we’re working in collaboration with the Whadjuk Noongar people and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Western Australia to acknowledge Wadjemup’s Aboriginal history. To promote reconciliation; protect and amplify the stories, heritage, and culture ingrained in the island; and put steps in place to move forward together on a shared journey towards understanding and healing.

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Explore and conserve the environment

Wadjemup is home to a biodiverse environment, abundant with plant, animal, bird, and sea life. The RIMP 2023–28 is focused on delivering major renewable energy initiatives that will provide significant environmental and sustainability benefits, with plans also to ensure a range of opportunities and experiences are available for visitors to engage with the island’s unique natural attributes.

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Fostering strong partnerships

It’s a collaborative effort that goes into managing the island. We’re supported by an extensive network of partnerships, and one of the key focus areas is nurturing these relationships. Here’s what we’re doing to invite, foster, and enhance our diverse range of partnerships, and recognise the remarkable contribution they provide to help keep the island running.

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