Between the Thompson Bay settlement and the salt lakes.

A $40 million transformation:

• Part of Rottnest Island Authority’s vision for revitalising and broadening the Islands’ accommodation

• New buildings integrated into the natural environment

• Upgrades to existing buildings

• Boutique accommodation

• Dining Yard + Bar

• Kiosk for coffee & gelato

• Gathering ground

No. However, the design acknowledges the history and legacy of the neighbouring Quod building and burial grounds to the north.

The food and beverage outlets and gathering ground cultural precinct will be accessible to all Island visitors. Guest rooms and private pool areas are only accessible to hotel guests.

A dedicated space that acknowledges the important cultural history of the Island.

A space to accommodate a series of public/private events, including ceremonies and culture sharing with the Nyungar community.

A social hub where guests, island visitors and tour operators are welcomed and able to meet, start a tour, or to just relax and take in the natural surrounds.

There are 109 rooms in total. Room types include:

• Compact, affordable fully-equipped rooms.

• Larger, contemporary rooms to appeal to couples and offering lakeside/island views.

• Interconnecting family style rooms.

The refurbished rooms and the new build rooms will offer Lakeside and Island views.

The wide range of accommodation types will cater to single travelers, couples, large groups and families.

Accommodation bookings will be available via an accessible booking platform and will offer flexible, single-night options.

Announcements will be made closer to the completion of construction.

Yes. There will be a clear pathway around the site.

Construction commenced in June 2022 and is anticipated for final stage completion in 2025. First rooms are anticipated to open from September 2024.

A comprehensive management plan will ensure impacts to surrounding businesses and visitors to the island are minimised at each stage.

Regular updates and correspondence will be issued to all stakeholders, island businesses and visitors regarding construction activity.

During construction, significant effort will be taken to ensure no negative impacts on native vegetation and a detailed Wildlife Management Plan will be developed.

This is a low-impact development. Place Development will meet all RIA requirements.

The proposed new built form is of a comparable scale to the existing buildings, being no more than two-storeys and consistent with RIA Design Guidelines.

Yes. The redevelopment will meet all RIA requirements.

Robust, low maintenance materials, that reflect the Island and are sympathetic to existing heritage buildings. Locally referenced materials finishes and plant species are preferred.

The redevelopment is to be benchmarked against a 4-star Green Star standard. Key initiatives include:

* Climate responsive design, effective water management and efficient resource use.

* Urban water management.

* The maintenance and enhancement of natural areas.

The alfresco dining courtyard is protected from effects of the strong afternoon breeze and is shaded by tree cover in summer.

Rooms will be cross-ventilated and will have external shutters to reduce reliance on air conditioning.

Significant portions of the existing building will be retained and restored, extending the life of valuable resources and reducing building waste.

The landscape design maintains established trees on site, informed by either identified specimens of heritage value or endemic to the natural selection of the island.

New plantings preference species native to the island and of the nearby mainland locality.

All plantings will be climatically appropriate and make the best use of water resources and importantly, by preserving the existing stock, avoid using water resources on establishing new plantings.

Site planning maintains all significant trees and is driven by the existing topography.

The landscaping design is ‘light touch’ – enhancing the landscape with minimal additions. Materials embedded within the ground will be reused and many of the existing trees will be retained.

All trees that remain on site are well adapted to nutrient poor soil, salty and often windy conditions. The redevelopment design will reintroduce favourable conditions for native wetland and woodland vegetation complexes to flourish.

The Lodge is situated next to the former Aboriginal prison building known as the “Quod” and a short distance from the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground.

RIA has undertaken extensive due diligence in accordance with its Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement with the Whadjuk Noongar people. This included conducting an Ethnographic and Archaeological Survey and ground penetrating radar survey with the involvement of Traditional Owners. As a result of this investigation and consultation, the lease boundary for the project was adjusted to exclude some potentially sensitive areas.

A celebration of the Islands’ heritage and culture will be layered through all aspects of the development. First Nations cultural immersion opportunities will be facilitated through place naming, food and beverage, in-room experiences, decor and art, six seasons bush tucker planting design, and the Gathering Ground.

Yes. Cultural Heritage consultant David Collard (Wardong) and Nyungar elders form an integral part of the project team and have established a cultural heritage framework for the project.

David Collard’s work has involved engagement with the Whadjuk Elders and leaders to inform the project vision and design.

Feedback confirms a clear desire for the new Lodge to celebrate a positive social connection with the Island and its Aboriginal culture – celebrating its connection to Country.

The project actively seeks opportunities to embody this thinking and history into the visitor experience and assist in cross-cultural understanding, reflection and healing.

Place Development Australia (PDA) was appointed after a comprehensive tender process.

The PDA team has delivered many iconic places for Western Australia including Hibernian Place; Kennedy Bay; Pirate Life Perth Brewpub; and, the new Dunsborough development comprising unique onsite accommodation, microbrewery, coffee roastery and artisan retail outlets. They are also managing the delivery of the Perth Surf Park.

PDA has curated best-in-class industry professionals with specific food, beverage, tourism, environmental and Aboriginal heritage credentials that are well suited to the Rottnest Lodge & Golf Course redevelopment.

The new Lodge will be operated by a collection of like-minded, contemporary and proven hospitality, lifestyle and retail operators.

Social Grounds Hospitality – the WA team who have been behind successful venues including The Alex Hotel, Shadow Wine Bar and Little Creatures to name a few, and currently operate a number of well-know venues across Perth.

spaceagency. spaceagency has a long-standing involvement in visioning, designing and delivering restaurant, bars and hospitality venues including Sail and Anchor, Fremantle; The Alex Hotel, Northbridge; The Premier Mill Hotel, Katanning; Strange Company, Fremantle: and, Bread in Common, Fremantle, all of which are now culturally and socially embedded into the Western Australian way of life.

Hassell. Hassell is an integrated planning, urban design and place making practice. The Hassell Landscape team led the Rottnest Island landscape masterplan in 2013, ultimately providing a plan that would map out the direction for the Island over the next 20 years – both in terms of landscape treatments and in the broader context of development opportunities and structural changes to services and circulation.

The team is also responsible for the award-winning Stadium Park and Chevron Parklands at Optus Stadium in 2017, the new Western Australian Museum and the Karratha Health Campus.

Local Western Australian groups; Place Development Australia and Pendulum Capital and its investment group, led by Peter Fogarty’s family investment vehicle.