Abrolhos to open for tourism
Archaic rules that prevent most people camping on the Abrolhos Islands could be overhauled in a bid to open the area to tourism.
Four months after Colin Barnett unveiled a Cabinet subcommittee to look at ways to develop selected WA coastal areas, Government sources said the Premier was pushing for tourism development on the Abrolhos.
The islands off the Mid West coast are a major rock lobster fishery and have long been mostly off limits to tourists despite their widespread appeal.
Under long-standing arrangements, the Department of Fisheries administers the islands and only allows licensed fishermen and accredited workers and visitors to stay overnight.
The situation is a throwback to days when hundreds of people connected with the rock lobster industry lived on the islands for months at a time.
Significant rationalisation in the industry in the past 30 years has led to many of the fishing shacks and infrastructure to become derelict.
There is a view in Government that the arrangement stymies the islands' potential and a committee under Deputy Premier Kim Hames is reviewing options to attract tourism and recreational fishing.
Abrolhos Islands: The colourful camps of Basile Island at Sunrise Picture: Michael Wilson/The West Australian
A major obstacle facing this aim is the high level of green tape for the islands, which has in the past stopped tourism developments getting off the ground.
Though details of the proposed changes are sketchy, they are believed to include upgrading mooring and landing facilities at the Abrolhos and allowing low-impact hotel developments.
The move comes amid a separate push by the Government's key marine parks adviser to create a dedicated marine reserve around the Abrolhos Islands.
Scientists, conservationists and fishermen regard the islands as a WA environmental jewel with historical significance for shipwrecks including the Batavia.
Marine Parks and Reserves Authority chairman Tom Hatton stopped short of openly calling for a marine park at the Abrolhos but noted their immense value.
He said the islands had valuable natural, historic and cultural heritage and were important to the rock lobster fishery.
