The Western Australian (WA) government has committed $62 million (US$43.7 million) from the upcoming state budget to upgrade Rottnest Island’s energy and water infrastructure, with a view to running the tourist destination on 75 percent renewable energy.
According to a government release on Friday, with eco-tourism a growing sector and more travellers choosing destinations that place an emphasis on environmental sustainability, Rottnest is a class A nature reserve with rising eco-credentials to meet that demand.
The island, located 19 kilometres (12 miles) off the coast of Perth and reached by a short ferry ride, is a protected nature reserve with abundant flora and fauna, including the quokka, a small marsupial unique to southwest WA.