Plans for Rottnest Island's new 120-room hotel have been unveiled by Tourism Minister Sheila McHale.
Plans for Rottnest Island's new 120-room hotel have been unveiled by Tourism Minister Sheila McHale.
Ms McHale announced Western Australian firm Broadwater Hotels and Resorts had been chosen as the preferred proponent of the hotel at Mt Herschel.
"The new facility will provide eagerly-awaited accommodation on Rottnest and be built within two years," she said.
"Each year in the peak holiday season three times as many people want to stay on the island as there are beds available - now, more Western Australians will have the chance to enjoy a holiday at Rottnest in peak season."
The Minister said this was the first new accommodation to be developed on the island since the 1980s. It would be built on four hectares of the derelict water catchment site at Mt Herschel with the remaining 16ha to be rehabilitated to its natural state.
"The 120-room hotel will offer guests options such as short-stay and fully serviced rooms of an equivalent four-star rating," Ms McHale said.
"The development sets the standard in WA for sustainable hotel developments - it will have a maximum of two storeys and adhere to the island's sustainability guidelines to ensure compatibility with the Rottnest ethos.
"It uses less land, will be more environmentally sustainable than current Rottnest accommodation and will also bring a new lease of life to a piece of land that is currently very degraded."
The Minister said release of the site for the project had been fast-tracked through the State Government's Landbank initiative.
The Government was delighted to have been able to attract a WA developer for the project.
"Broadwater Hotels and Resorts, which have an excellent track-record, have demonstrated their affinity with Western Australians and the type of holidays they value," Ms McHale said.
"Their submission showed a clear understanding of the Rottnest Island ethos and experience."
Broadwater Hotels and Resorts managing director Scott Cogar said his team were delighted to be involved in this outstanding project.
"This is a great opportunity for Broadwater to add a new dimension of best practice sustainable development to our portfolio of properties," Mr Cogar said.
Ms McHale also announced that the Prendiville Group had been selected as the preferred respondent of Rottnest Island's landmark pub, the Quokka Arms.
Prendiville Group operates the Sandalford Winery, Tradewinds Hotel, Norfolk Hotel and Pier 21 Resort in Fremantle and the Tropicana Inn, Broome.
"I am confident the management of the Quokka Arms will be of the highest standards," the Minister said.
