Could Abrolhos Islands be WA’s next holiday hotspot? State Government releases tourism management plan

Low-impact camping, tourism infrastructure and commercial opportunities at the Abrolhos Islands could be introduced alongside measures to protect the natural environment under a draft blueprint for the archipelago’s future over the next decade. The growing popularity of the Abrolhos prompted the State Government to release a 110-page draft management plan last week. Tourism advocates have criticised the plan as “tepid”, saying while it contains promise for reigniting stale development progress, it lacks concrete action. But the report has received a warm reception from those invested in the islands, who say while the it raises further questions, it is a good step forward for shared use. When 95 per cent of the archipelago was declared WA’s newest national park in 2019, Premier Mark McGowan announced his Government’s vision was to “provide a world-class tourism experience and create new jobs and economic opportunities in the Mid West”. But visitor numbers have remained low among tourists, and contention between the island’s legacy users and those wanting to build and expand commercial tourism operations has created uncertainty about the area’s future. Released last week, the 2021 Abrolhos Islands Draft Management Plan acknowledges this divide, saying the public consultation process has revealed “several wildly divergent viewpoints” among stakeholders. The plan contains a range of recommendations designed to protect the natural environment and conserve species such as the Australian sea lion and migratory birds on 27 islands, including options to restrict access during breeding seasons. But the plan has opened the door for tourism opportunities such as low-impact camping, with the northern end of Pelsaert Island and North Island listed as potential sites. East Wallabi Island has been identified as a key tourism location and earmarked for continued infrastructure development, including a Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions operations base, shade sails and toilets, in addition to the existing airstrip and the jetty under construction. “The development of visitor infrastructure, interpretation and appropriate access is initially focused on East Wallabi and Beacon islands,” the authors note, proposing that further consideration be given to North, West Wallabi, Long, Rat, Leo, Morley, Pelsaert and Gun islands. Ecologist Dr Chris Surman, who has been studying wildlife at the Abrolhos for more than 30 years, believes the draft management plan is a “well overdue but important step” in protecting the wildlife and natural environment of the islands. “The islands represent one of the most biologically diverse and valuable sites in WA,” he said. “A lot of people have been pushing for development opportunities and it’s good to see the plan set out guidelines to address that in a conservative way. “It’s a start for the management agencies to ... begin working to preserve our islands.” Geraldton City councillor and tourism advocate Victor Tanti welcomed the report but said it was disappointing it had taken so long and lacked concrete recommendations. “There is progress and promise in the document but I still maintain that we have to push harder,” he said. He said under the present model hundreds of recreational boaters visited, with no oversight or accountability. “If that’s the reality, why can’t organised and licenced tourism operators do the same?” he said. Representing leaseholders of the Abrolhos Islands Reserve, body corporate committee chair Greg Finlay said the 110-page plan was a good step forward for the islands. “We’ve seen a huge increase in visitation over the last five years which has led to some concerns among leaseholders. “We’re happy to share the islands, we just want to see some firm commitments that it won’t impact the fishing and aquaculture over there.” He said some of the islands earmarked for tourism development also housed commercial camps and questioned how the government would prevent interference from visitors. “As long as the funding comes through from the State Government to actually implement this plan, it will provide clarity to users,” he said. “At the end of the day it’s an asset of the Mid West community. I’d encourage everyone to make a submission to ensure our voices are heard.” The public comment period is open until July 26. It can be read at dbca.wa.gov.au/haveyoursay.