The State Government has backflipped on plans to build a new discovery centre on Rockingham's Penguin Island.
The decision comes following feedback from the City of Rockingham, local tourism operators and local penguin researchers with fears the location of the centre would have an impact on the already diminishing little penguin population.
Plans to build a new discovery centre on Penguin Island have been scrapped. PIC: State Government
Instead, the State Government will provide up to $250,000 to investigate the feasibility of relocating the facility at Mersey Point or at another location on the mainland.
The existing discovery centre will be demolished and the site rehabilitated.
Meanwhile, in a bid to protect the dwindling penguin population, the State Government has made a number of immediate changes.
This includes closing the island when the forecast maximum temperature for Penguin Island is 35 degrees or higher.
The annual winter seasonal closure of the island will also be extended by at least four weeks to accommodate a prolonged breeding season.
Other measures include hot weather management to keep penguins cooler, extra water sources, increased signage and restricted access zones, increased monitoring of eight knot speed limit zones around Penguin Island and Shoalwater Bay; and increased weed management and rehabilitation efforts to maximise the native vegetation habitat for penguins.
"The health and welfare of the little penguins is our number one priority when considering how best to plan for the future of Penguin Island," Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby said.
"I understand the decision will disappoint some and reduce the number of days that people can visit the island, but I believe the community will support measures to protect this vulnerable population of penguins, which are being impacted by a changing climate.
"The McGowan Government is committed to continue working with the City of Rockingham, commercial tour operators, researchers and the community to help protect penguin colonies on Penguin and Garden Islands.
The State Government has also allocated $150,000 on researching the status of the little penguin population and how it can be protected in the future.
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