Premier Roger Cook's ambitious pledge to make Western Australia a beacon of sustainable tourism has encountered a significant setback, with a critical energy upgrade on the iconic Rottnest Island running years behind schedule and millions over budget.
Project Blowouts and Delayed Timelines
The state government's plan to transform Rottnest Island into a green energy showcase is now facing serious challenges. The centrepiece of this vision, a major overhaul of the island's power and water systems, was originally slated for completion by the end of 2025. However, new documents reveal the project will not be finished until at least 2027, a delay of two years.
Alongside the timeline blowout, the project's budget has also ballooned. The estimated cost for the Rottnest Island Water and Renewable Energy Nexus (WREN) project has surged from an initial $40 million to a staggering $50 million. This 25 per cent increase places considerable strain on the government's environmental and tourism commitments.
A Core Promise Deferred
This delay directly impacts a key promise made by Premier Cook. In late 2023, he announced a Sustainable Tourism Blueprint, vowing to position WA as a world leader in eco-friendly travel. A fully renewable Rottnest Island was intended to be the glittering flagship of this policy.
The WREN project is technically complex. It aims to integrate solar power, battery storage, and a sophisticated water recycling system to drastically reduce the island's reliance on shipped-in diesel fuel. The goal is to achieve near-total energy independence and slash carbon emissions, creating a model for off-grid sustainability.
Political and Practical Fallout
The opposition has seized on the delays and cost overruns, criticising the government for mismanaging a signature project. Shadow tourism minister Libby Mettam labelled the situation a "major embarrassment" for Premier Cook, suggesting it reveals a gap between his government's announcements and its ability to deliver.
Beyond the political sparring, the practical consequences are real. The delay means Rottnest will continue burning diesel for years longer than planned, hindering the state's broader carbon reduction targets. It also postpones the creation of a powerful case study for sustainable island management, which was a core part of the tourism blueprint's marketing potential.
A government spokesperson acknowledged the revised timeline, citing supply chain issues, complex integration requirements, and the challenges of working on a sensitive island environment as key factors for the hold-up. They reaffirmed the government's commitment to completing the project, emphasising its long-term importance for Rottnest's environmental and economic future.
What Comes Next for Rottnest?
With the finish line now pushed to 2027, all eyes will be on the government's ability to steward the project through its next phases without further setbacks. The success or failure of this initiative is now tightly linked to the credibility of Premier Cook's sustainable tourism agenda.
For visitors and residents alike, the promise of a green Rottnest remains, but its arrival has been deferred. The island's transformation into a renewable energy paradise is still on the cards, but the journey there has just become longer and more expensive than anyone in government initially planned.
