City of Rockingham wants Penguin Island closed to visitors as concerns for bird population grows

Australia Broadcast Center

07-05-2025

The City of Rockingham is lobbying for the closure of tourist attraction Penguin Island, as the dwindling population of the animals that gave the island its name reaches crisis point.
But there are reservations about what impact the measure would have on increasing bird numbers.
Conservationists have long called for the island to be shut to visitors to allow for the restoration of the little penguin population, which has dropped by 94 per cent since 2007 — leaving an estimated 114 birds.
One of Penguin Island's penguins is examined.
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ABC News: Pamela Medlen
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Scientists say warming sea temperatures have impacted on the penguins' food source, with human activity and migration patterns also contributing to population decline.
The City of Rockingham in March resolved to "immediately and urgently" request the state and federal governments close the island for at least two years.
Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin confirmed the city has now written to the state government to request the temporary closure of the island.
Deb Hamblin has requested the state government close Penguin Island to visitors.
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ABC News: Ashleigh Davis
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She said the suggestion was made by a ratepayer, and there was not yet evidence to show a two-year closure would support the penguin population.
Ms Hamblin said more research was needed to understand how the penguins can be saved.
"I think there are a number of options that the researchers are looking at, because the effects are coming from a whole range of issues, not just people on the island, but also climate change, food sources, water, temperature," she told ABC Radio Perth.
Penguins in nesting boxes at Penguin Island.
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Supplied: Rotary Club
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"The public are concerned, of course, but we're not the experts.
"I understand that people are passionate and want to come up with the best solutions, but I think we really do need to rely on the experts."
Not everyone convinced
The Penguin Island Visitor Centre's Tracy Brown said she was unconvinced closing the park was the solution to the island's penguin problem.
Tracy Brown is the operations manager at Perth Wildlife Encounters.
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ABC News: Ashleigh Davis
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"I just don't see that it's going to be effective for the penguins," she said.
"Scientists are saying that the penguins are decreasing in population because of a lack of food source and due to climate change, nothing to do with people on the island.
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If anything … tourism brings education and awareness about the penguins on the island.
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A number of measures have already been implemented to try to bolster the penguin population, including enforcing a longer winter closure period, shutting the island on days when the temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius, and installing nesting boxes to help the birds survive the heat.
This year Rotary has insulated the penguin nesting boxes to keep them cool.
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ABC News: Ashleigh Davis
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The state government also scrapped plans to build a new discovery centre on the island, with Mersey Point on the mainland identified as a possible alternative.
Photo shows
Aerial shot of Penguin Island.
Conservationists are calling for Penguin Island to be closed to visitors to allow the dwindling little penguin population to recover.
A business case for the proposal is currently being prepared, with a timeline for delivery yet to be announced.
Ms Brown said the tourism community was eager for the proposal to get underway.
"A discovery centre built close by to the island would bring about better education for our parents and their kids, our international visitors," she said.
"It would bring a real drawcard of tourism to the island, and we'd also have something in the area that we can be really proud of."
Island a 'priority': government
A state government spokesperson said the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) was working hard to reduce pressures on the little penguin population.
"In addition, DBCA is finalising enhanced visitor facilities that are crucial for educating visitors about the island's unique wildlife, ensuring the protection of penguins while allowing people to enjoy the island," they spokesperson said.
Penguin Island is off the coast of Rockingham.
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ABC Radio Perth: Emma Wynne
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"Penguin Island is an important conservation and tourism asset, and the welfare of little penguins on Penguin Island continues to be a priority for the state government."
The newly formed Little Penguin Advisory Group also held its first meeting in February, and is due to provide advice to DBCA by the end of the year.
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