STAFF REPORTER

The government will compel younger school leavers to arrange a 21-year-old key holder if they want to book accommodation on Rottnest Island.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the new regulations would help ensure responsible supervision of younger school students who wished to celebrate the end of the school year on the island.

“In the past two years, there has been a rapid growth in ‘Juvie Leavers’, where students in years 9, 10 and 11 visit Rottnest Island to celebrate the end of the school year,” Dr Hames explained.

“This is an important time in the lives of these young people, when they may fall in love with Rottnest for the rest of their lives.

“But it comes with challenges that must be managed.”

Dr Hames said the new restrictions would mean accommodation booked during the 10-day period of ‘Juvie Leavers’ – immediately after the last teaching day at most WA private schools – must have a key holder older than 21.

“This change in regulation is only applicable to this specific period – this year from Monday December 3 to Sunday December 16,” he said.

“Juvie Leavers can be a success and we are taking lessons learned from normal Leavers’ celebrations and modifying them for younger students.

“There is nothing that can replace the responsible supervision of an adult in a situation like Juvie Leavers,” Dr Hames counselled.

Dr Hames said he “expected” parents and guardians to take an active role in end-of-school celebrations to ensure their children remained safe.

In his second Rottnest media release for the afternoon, Dr Hames announced the island campground would received a $750,000 overhaul.

In his third Rottnest media release for the afternoon, Dr Hames announced a $300,000 boardwalk on the island’s west end had been opened today.

In his fourth Rottnest media release for the afternoon, Dr Hames announced the island’s golf course would get a $300,000 overhaul by course designer Davey Shearer.

Unaided by media release, oneperth.com.au can reveal the government also plans to demolish and replace four tennis courts on the island – two at Geordie Bay and two at Kingstown.