The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended a proposal to relocate barge operations to the southern end of Rottnest Island’s Thomson Bay be implemented subject to strict conditions.
The South Thomson Development Barge Landing Project is a Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) proposal to extend and redevelop the existing Army Groyne to create a breakwater, barge landing ramp, ferry berth, refuelling and small craft landing facility, and access road.
The environmental impact assessment, which began in September last year, included three weeks of public consultation.
EPA Chair Darren Walsh said conditions had been recommended to limit the timing of dredging and reclamation to avoid the spring and summer months when seagrass flowering and fruiting occurred.
“Seagrass meadows are known to play an important ecological role in maintaining marine biodiversity and ecosystem health,” Mr Walsh said. “So the EPA considered it vital to recommend conditions that would protect both ecological resilience and the overall productivity of Wadjemup’s marine environment from proposal impacts.”
The EPA also used its report to provide additional advice on the need for research to support the long-term conservation objectives of the Rottnest Island Marine Park.
“Targeted research by the Rottnest Island Authority would improve what we know about seagrass resilience and recovery,” Mr Walsh said. “This would help ensure that future infrastructure developments are undertaken in a manner that maintains the ecological integrity of the island’s marine environment.
“We also support the initiatives of the RIA in undertaking restoration of ecological communities and urge that this work continues given the increasing infrastructure pressures.”
The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a three-week public appeal period, closing 10 July 2025. Appeals should be directed to the Office of the Appeals Convenor. The Minister for Environment will make the final decision on the proposal. EPA Report 1783 can be found on the EPA website.
EPA Media Contact: Jenni.Storey@dwer.wa.gov.au; 0434 734 997
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