First steps for track around island

The first stage of an ambitious plan to construct a 50km walk track around Rottnest Island was unveiled yesterday.

Built largely from 2.25 million plastic bags and 200,000 plastic milk bottles, the 120m boardwalk at the island's western end cost $300,000, with a big chunk coming through the fundraising efforts of the Rottnest Foundation, an independent volunteer group.

Patron Janet Holmes a Court said the foundation was keen to push ahead with its plans to extend the boardwalk around the entire island.

"We want to create one of the world's great walk tracks . . . something akin to the Ocean Road walk in Victoria and the Maria Island walk in Tasmania," she said.

"Most of us have ridden our bikes around Rottnest, but the prospect of a boardwalk provides a whole new perspective of the island.

"By building raised boardwalks, it also means we can protect the fragile landscape and not disturb birds and other creatures."

Mrs Holmes a Court said a boardwalk around the island "would cost millions of dollars" but was a long-term project that the foundation would pursue.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames, who officially opened the new West End boardwalk yesterday, said it would be accessible to people in wheelchairs.