Traders revolt over leavers' week
Rules that ban non-leavers staying at Rottnest during leavers' week are costing the island peak-season tourist dollars and must be scrapped, business owners say.
The mall at Thomson Bay - Rottnest's CBD - resembled a ghost town yesterday despite blue skies, tranquil waters and the mercury tipping 26C on the island.
The Lane Cafe owner Glenn Evans said leavers' week was a "non-event" for local businesses that could ill afford quiet days after the slow winter period.
The island's main accommodation provider, Rottnest Island Authority, reserves its entire stock for leavers during the three-night event and for an extra day to clean the island - a move that effectively restricts tourists to daytrips.
Mr Evans said many leavers brought their own food or attended free sausage sizzles and were not interested in buying coffee or ice-cream.
"It's a difficult environment to do business at the best of times and then you lose four days from your peak trading period," he said.
A big fall in leavers' bookings has left Rottnest at 30 per cent capacity this week.
A planned concert tonight featuring The Panics and The Rubens had to be postponed because of a lack of demand.
Popular restaurant Aristos Waterfront Rottnest shut during leavers' week because of low customer numbers.
Rottnest business heavyweight Greg Brindle, who owns two general stores and a surf boutique on the island, said if Rottnest was no longer a popular leavers' destination, then the WA public and tourists should be allowed in.
"We're disappointed leavers have chosen to go elsewhere," Mr Brindle said.
"However, if they don't come I think the (RIA) need to reconsider their policy because having the island 30 per cent full in November is not good for business."
Rottnest Island Country Club general manager Matt Harding said he wanted leavers' week scrapped. "We close the course three hours early when leavers is on," Mr Harding said.
"For the last three weeks we've had at least 20 people play a round of golf per day.
"This week we've had about six and they're all locals."
Rottnest Bakery manager Kim Gamble said he had cut production dramatically this week.
"We can't even give it away," Mr Gamble said yesterday.
"We try to take advantage of the quiet period by doing renovations because it's deserted around here."
_The West Australian _understands RIA will review its leavers accommodation policy before next year's event when half of graduating students will be 18 because of changes to the school starting age last decade.
