Work starts on $40m Hotel Rottnest upgrade

FIRM Construction has begun work this week on the redevelopment and expansion of Prendiville Group’s Hotel Rottnest.

Group chairman Peter Prendiville told Business News there was about $25 million of building work in the current project stage.

The overall investment in the hotel upgrade after stage three would be about $40 million.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia turned the first sod today to mark the start of the redevelopment, which will nearly double the size of the hotel.

Eighteen existing hotel rooms will be demolished to make way for 80 new rooms along with two pools, a reception pavilion, outdoor dining, function facilities and grassed area.

CHRISTOU Design Group was the project architect.

Hotel Rottnest’s bar and restaurant will continue to trade during construction, with the new development set to be completed for the summer of 2020.

The development comes after record visitor numbers were achieved in April and May, with 135,000 visitors over the two months.

Mr Papalia said total visitation numbers for 2018-19 had increased to a record-breaking 758,239 with June figures still to come.

The McGowan government recently committed to spend $16.2 million on key infrastructure.

The Rottnest Island Authority is preparing for a fuel jetty, along with construction of a barge landing at the Army Jetty.