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Construction works

Works and Service Notices

An update on the works taking place on the island and how they may impact your visit.

Works and service improvements are conducted periodically across Wadjemup / Rottnest Island

A range of projects are also currently underway to refresh and revitalise the island facilities. These works aim to enhance the visitor experience and to preserve the island long term.

Please refer to this list for updates on works taking place and how they may impact your visit.

For information on projects that are transforming the island, visit Significant Projects.

For further information on planning your visit to the island, visit rottnestisland.com.

Last updated: 30 May 2025

Commencing: 28 April 2025
Completion: September 2025

Refurbishment of Stay Rottnest accommodation units in Longreach and Fay's Bay commenced in April 2025.

Accommodation upgrades will include refurbished bathrooms, new kitchens, new flooring and painting, and upgrades to courtyards and balconies.

During the works, there will be changes to access in and around Longreach Bay and Fay's Bay. The Longreach Bay public ablutions block on Zephyr Road will remain open and will be accessible via Longreach Bay beach or the bike path between Longreach Bay and The Basin.

There is no access to Fay's Bay or the Longreach tennis courts.

There is no access to Geordie Bay through Longreach Bay or Fay's Bay. Visitors will need to use Geordie Bay Road, and boat owners will need to land in Geordie Bay to visit the General Store, Geordie's Cafe & Art Gallery, Kuld Creamery, and the Laundromat.

Traffic management and signage is in place to assist visitors.

Commencing: 28 May 2025
Completion: 29 May 2025 

Removal of one of the two power supplies to the ablution block will occur to allow for extension of the remaining power supply to supply both sides of the building.

Power to the ablution block will be isolated for two days from Wednesday morning 28 May to Thursday afternoon 29 May 2025, including overnight, thus there will be no hot water or lighting during this time.

Power to the whole site will be isolated on Thursday 29 May from 11am to midday to connect the new power supply. Affected areas include Caroline Thomson cabins, Campground kitchen, BBQ and adjacent light pole.

Commencing: 12 May 2025
Completion: 8 June 2025 

Minor refurbishments to occur in Stay Rottnest heritage units 301, 336, 332 and 338 including floor sanding and revarnishing, crack repairs, new benchtops, new blinds, painting and backyard landscape works to improve the visitor experience.

Minimal impact to visitors during the works.

Commencing: 22 June 2025
Completion: 25 June 2025 

Two large 3x3 metre bins will be situated in North Thompson towards the end of Kelly Street by the school and a further two will be located in South Thompson along Parker Point Road for the purpose of the annual residential bulk waste collection. 

Residents have been advised that they are able to commence placing rubbish outside of the property from 3pm Sunday 22 June 2025 until 7am Wednesday 25 June 2025. 

There will be additional noise and traffic due to forklifts in operation during rubbish on Wednesday 25 June 2025. 

Commencing: 3 June 2025
Completion: 13 June 2025 

A contractor will undertake maintenance on the Telstra Tower at Peacock Hill to repair corrosion. The timeframe for the work is between 7 am to 4 pm on weekdays only.

Work and equipment areas will be fenced off and gates will be closed to the public for the duration of the works period. No telecommunications outages are anticipated. 

 

Commencing: 3 March 2025 
Completion: 7 June 2025

The new Worker Accommodation development that is underway includes the provision of new sewer headworks to service the construction of new staff housing for Place Developments and any other approved developments. The headworks will serve the future Worker Accommodation site on Parker Point Road and future developments at South Thomson, Kingstown Barracks and the Light Industrial Area.

The sewer headworks project will involve construction of a gravity sewer collection system to provide service connections for the worker accommodation developments.

There will be short power disruptions with timeframes to be advised, and overall minimal impact on visitors.  

Commencing: 17 August 2024   
Completion: June 2025 
 
The electrical network capacity on the island is being increased to support the expansion of the desalination plant and future developments. 

Cabling and electrical infrastructure works are part of the island-wide electrical network upgrades. Noise and heavy traffic will impact the fenced-off work areas. 

Commencing: 3 June 2025
Completion: 30 June 2025 

Removal of two concrete pillars displaying significant delamination will occur at Kingstown Barracks and timber supports will be put in situ pending final engineering specification to reinstate concrete pillars with State Heritage Approval obtained.

Commencing: 3 June 2025
Completion: 30 June 2025 

Heritage works will be undertaken on the Kingstown Barracks exterior brick work for the safety and preservation of the building.

Minor refurbishments to occur in Stay Rottnest units 150, 152 and 153 including external painting, verandah sanding and varnishing, and upgrade to kitchen benchtops and pantry to improve the visitor experience. 

The Stay Rottnest accommodation will be closed for the renovation period. 

Commencing: 5 May 2025
Completion: 5 June 2025 

New concrete will be created around the H1 gun turret at Oliver Hill due to deterioration at the current site and to ensure public safety. Approval has been provided by the Heritage Council to protect the integrity of the asset.

The Oliver Hill H1 gun will be fenced off during the works with noise expected from the demolition of concrete.

The entire Oliver Hill site will be closed to the public from 3 June to 5 June 2025 (weather permitting) to pour the new screed and restore the site for visitor access.

Commencing: 16 June 2025
Completion:
 27 June 2025

To ensure a stable dune environment at Kingstown Barracks, the sand dunes will undergo re-shaping works and revegetation will occur to ensure sand dune health. There is little to no impact on visitors.

Commencing: 12 May 2025
Completion: 4 July 2025

Repair to the existing concrete boardwalk and construction of a new timber deck in front (beach-side) of Hotel Rottnest to enhance amenities. During the works there will be fencing around the work site, and the boardwalk will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists. Access to the beach and hotel jetty is via marked paths at either end of the work site.

Hotel Rottnest and Samphire Rottnest remain open during the works.

On-site signage for pedestrian and cycling detours around the work site will be in place to assist visitors.

Commencing: 3 June 2025
Completion: 20 July 2025 

Removal and replacement of 32 timber verandah posts at Kingstown Barracks due to wood rot, State Heritage approval has been obtained.

The Stay Rottnest accommodation will be closed for the renovation period.

Commencing: 8 August 2024 
Completion: 29 August 2025 

As part of the Main Jetty refurbishment project, the jetty pavement will be reconstructed and sealed with asphalt.

The reconstruction of the pavement will be undertaken in eight different phases to ensure visitor access to the jetty will be maintained for most of the time.

Commencing: June 2023
Completion:
 September 2025

New food and beverage, accommodation and conference facilities for The Lodge Wadjemup are in progress.

Redevelopment includes new accommodation and refurbishment of 109 rooms including 46 new rooms and refurbishment of 31 Boys Reformatory rooms and 32 Lakeside Villas.

In addition, new food and beverage facilities including a kiosk, conference and event facilities, pools and amenities are under construction.

Stage 1
Completion: Late December 2024
New restaurant and kiosk open and refurbishment of the Courtyard rooms and Lakeside Villas.

Stage 2
Completion: September 2025
New poolside villas and conference facilities.

  • Noise and additional vehicle movements may occur during The Lodge Wadjemup redevelopment.
  • To ensure minimal disruption to visitors and the environment, Boreham Way will be closed with access only to contractors.
  • Public access remains open on Kitson Street and Digby Drive and partially closed at the surrounding Garden Lake.
  • Increased traffic is expected along Digby Drive, Brand Way, Parker Point Road and surrounding the aerodrome.
  • Vehicles involved in the works will need to travel during construction hours, Monday to Saturday.

Commencing: 7 April 2025
Completion: October 2025

Works to deliver and install temporary infrastructure for works include accommodation units, supporting amenities, and necessary service connections. This will provide essential accommodation for the island workforce delivering critical infrastructure upgrades.

There may be temporary access restrictions to the Mt Herschel service road during delivery periods and minor noise and dust during installation works. On-site signage and traffic management will be in place as required.

Commencing: 1 July 2025
Completion: 30 November 2025

Upgrades to the Longreach Borefield saline water extraction will occur to meet projected growth for the island's future water needs. Works include a new bore pump and installation of a new electrical switch room. The path between The Basin and Longreach Bay will be closed at various times, with signage in place to assist visitors.

Commencing: 21 November 2024
Completion:
 January 2026

Wadjemup was used as an Aboriginal prison and forced labour camp between 1838 and 1931. State records indicate that 4,000 Aboriginal men and boys from Western Australia were imprisoned on the island, including in the Quod. Heritage conservation works will conserve the building. Aboriginal monitors will be on site throughout the works.

Conservation works are being undertaken to ensure the stabilisation of the buildings ahead of decisions on future use.

The Quod will be fenced off during works and there will be some noise during the works.

Works to remove asbestos in the ceiling space of the Quod will take place from 10 February to 17 March 2025. Signage will be in place and the removal process will follow strict asbestos removal requirements, including a third party on-site auditor to monitor the works.