City of Rockingham vote against proposed Penguin Island Discovery Centre

The City of Rockingham has voted against a State Government plan to construct a new discovery centre on Penguin Island.

The development application from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) was rejected by councillors at the ordinary council meeting on Tuesday with the City recommending the Western Australian Planning Commission not approve the proposal.

Under the plans, $3.3 million will be spent on building the new discovery centre, and the existing one demolished, freeing up more habitat and nesting areas for the dwindling little penguin population.

However, scientists believe the construction of the new centre, set to start in summer next year, will have a negative impact on the penguins.

The Council will also advocate to the State Government to delay the construction of the new facility to properly consult with scientists, investigate an alternative location at Mersey Point and conduct a thorough public consultation process.

City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin said Council made the decision not to support the application based on several concerns. 

“The City has long advocated for measures to be taken by DBCA to adequately protect the little penguin population on Penguin Island, and recent expert industry research has shown little penguin numbers have continued to decline at a rapid rate” Mayor Hamblin said.

“Inadequate information was provided to the City to evaluate the full impact of the proposed new Penguin Information Centre on the little penguin population. 

“Given the proposal is likely to have an impact on the penguin population, that formal public consultation by DBCA has not been carried out, and that a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan assessment hasn’t been carried out for the proposed development – Council was unanimously of the view that the WAPC should not approve this application.”

Local conservationist group Save Rockingham's Little Penguins has welcomed the City of Rockingham's decision.

"While the councillors don’t have the power to stop the Discovery Centre from being built on Penguin Island, the vote means the council will join voices from the community, science and tourism in opposing the plans," Convenor Dawn Jecks said,

“The State Government wants to barrel ahead with this poorly planned construction on Penguin Island in just six months without even understanding the impacts it will have on the remaining population of little penguins, which the experts think currently numbers fewer than 300 individuals.

“The best outcome for the future of this colony is to build a penguin discovery centre on the mainland, and help the remaining colony recover with a suite of conservation measures that can include more island closures. This colony is just too precious to lose.”