New $420,000 jetty for Rottnest

The State Government today helped ease the congestion of boating traffic at Rottnest when it officially opened a new $420,000 jetty near the island's hotel.

Tourism Minister Liz Constable said she was delighted with the new and improved facility for the boating community.

"This jetty replaces the first one built on the site more than 100 years ago, but is bigger, safer and extends further into Thomson Bay to meet the needs of visitors," Dr Constable said.

"The new jetty has six pens, can accommodate two vessels at the head, has 240 volt power, a ladder access for tenders and a ramp to assist with access for people with disabilities."

The first jetty outside what is now Hotel Rottnest was built in the mid-1800s but fell into disrepair.  It was replaced in 1953 for the opening of the first Hotel Rottnest and maintained until it was demolished and replaced by the new jetty in 2010. 

As part of the official opening, the Minister also named the new ranger vessel Roland Smith, in honour of one of the island's navigation pioneers.

"It is most appropriate that a vessel dedicated to looking after the safety of visitors to the island is named the Roland Smith," she said.

"Roland Smith's navigational markers can still be clearly seen today and he was a man dedicated to safe passage for mariners around Rottnest.

"He also established the first of the moorings in Marjorie Bay and Narrow Neck."

Roland Smith was the longest serving member of the Rottnest Island Board of Control and continued to contribute to the island through volunteer reafforestation work until his death in 1972.

A memorial to Mr Smith was erected by his friends in 1974 on the site of one of the first shore markers which help to guide boats safely into Narrow Neck. 

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