Local stakeholders welcome new lease agreements for Abrolhos Islands providing increased tourism capacity

Local Abrolhos Island stakeholders say new lease agreements could open opportunities for expansion, with one tourism operator calling it “a game changer”. Four new lease agreements for North Island, Wallabi Group, Easter Group, and Southern Group announced by the State Government on Tuesday meant more tourism opportunities could become available for the islands. The leases would allow tourism operators with an aquatic eco-tourism license to allow visitors to stay overnight in short-term hosted accommodation. According to the State Government, tour operators will be able to access jetties and moorings as part of their operations. Previously, $8.1m was announced to upgrade infrastructure at the islands to support growth, including a new public jetty, rest area, and moorings. Some of the new moorings are set to be installed by March, with the first two to be located at North Island and White Bank. Easter group body corporate president Anthony Haygarth said the leases meant there was security for the industry. “It’s a 21-year lease with a 21-year option, so it gives significant security of tenure,” he said. “For more than a decade, not knowing what our future looked like prevented proper investment in the infrastructure, buildings, and jetties. “People can start putting some significant investment in their infrastructure over there.” Mr Haygarth said there were some concerns over potential developments, but the majority of the islands were protected as a national park under the control of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. He commended the State Government for the relatively quick process for creating new leases based on discussions 12 months ago. For Eco-Abrolhos managing director Jay Cox, the announcement was 22 years in the making. He said the the tourism opportunities it could provide locally were significant, saying future opportunities for day trips were closer to becoming reality. “Having day trips and accommodation at the islands will change the face of tourism for Geraldton,” he said. “It’ll be a whole lot better place economically, more viable and more people can be employed.” Mr Cox said it would take time for accommodation to become ready, and a system would be required to ensure the islands were not overcrowded. However, he said the framework of having sustainable and economically viable eco-tourism put businesses operating in the area in a good position. “A lot of all the tourism is everyone works together, and so to have those opportunities, to be able to go to the islands and do these trips a lot easier and safer, it’s going to open a lot of doors,” he said. Mr Cox also said extending the airstrip at the islands should be a priority, allowing the Royal Flying Doctor Service to be able to land a plane in the event of emergencies.