Rottnest Island is being treated to a $150 million redevelopment, including dedicated accommodation for 400 employees

Special accommodation will be built on Rottnest Island to house more than 400 workers, as part of a $150.5 million funding injection to “get the basics right” on global tourism.

About 137 units will be built over the next eight years, a move that is expected to significantly reduce pressure on the cheaper accommodation options – such as Kingston Barracks – that already exist on the island but are often booked out by business owners for their staff.

By increasing the number of employees living on Rottnest, tourism and hospitality providers can offer a much wider range of services beyond the ferry schedules in the evenings and early mornings.

Around $98.5 million – the largest investment by any state government in Rottnest – will be spent on the planning and development of the new workforce housing, which will be rolled out gradually until 2032.

The other key pillars of the financing package are $31.9 million to redevelop the Army Jetty, $15.8 million to improve wastewater infrastructure across the island and $4.3 million to redesign the airport runway covering and installing fences.

Treasurer and Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said the spending was aimed at “getting the basics right” so the island could continue to thrive over the next decade.

“Rottnest Island is a globally recognized tourism destination for WA,” Ms Saffioti said. “To continue to meet the island’s increasing popularity, it is essential that we invest in infrastructure to support operations and safety on the island.”

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