Glamping in the pink at famous Rottnest beach

• $6 million investment releases prime site for upmarket eco-camping
• Milestone in century of Rottnest Island tourism

A $6 million State Government investment in a much-needed wastewater treatment plant upgrade has released valuable land for an exciting extra accommodation option on Rottnest Island.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the site had become available following an upgrade of the island's ageing wastewater treatment plant, funded by the State Government.  The new, sleeker plant would deliver sufficient recycled water to irrigate the golf course and oval, with sufficient capacity for future developments requiring recycled water.  It has also released land for a new accommodation option on the island.

"The upgrade opens up a prime site among the dunes behind Pinky Beach, one of Western Australia's best beaches and one of the island's most popular swimming spots", Dr Hames said.

"Upmarket camping, or glamping, is becoming increasingly popular around the world."

The Minister said private development would transform the area, providing a link between the Basin and popular Pinky Beach without spoiling land or ocean vistas. The site was next to the recently upgraded camp ground and championship-grade Bathurst tennis courts.

"The Government has invested more than $5 million in accommodation upgrades since 2012, including landscaping and expanding the camp ground to 42 sites, adding an ablution block and state-of-the-art camp kitchen," he said.

"The main value of this project is in establishing a whole new visitor experience on Rottnest.  Anyone who has seen the award-winning Basin beaches will understand the value of being able to wake with an early morning swim at a world-class location like Pinky."

Dr Hames said preliminary enquiries for new accommodation projects had been received after the release of the Rottnest Island Management Plan 2014-2019, with interest running high.

Fact File

• The area made available for development is a 1.5ha site nestled behind sand dunes at Pinky Beach
• The north-facing site is within 50m of one of the most popular beaches on the island, and close to the main settlement, golf course, oval, Basin, Bathurst lighthouse and tennis courts
• The site includes a settlement pond which is available for remediation and development
• The new wastewater treatment plant site is west of the site and screened from the proposed development area
• Rottnest Island was judged 2014's top Major Tourist Attraction in Western Australia
• For more information, visit http://www.rottnestisland.com/  

Minister's office - 6552 5300