Fears more tourists will drown without Penguin Island ferry as jetty remains out of operation

There are fears it is only a matter of time before another tragedy strikes off Shoalwater with the grounding of the Penguin Island ferry.

This is the second year that sand accumulation at the Penguin Island pier has prevented the ferry from making the short, shallow crossing to the island.

Without ferries, more locals and tourists will choose to walk to the island via a dangerous beach.

In 2015 the State Government paid $400,000 to the widows of two men who drowned after being dragged off the beach while trying to cross the island.

An investigation found that the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions could have taken immediate action twice that day to close the sandbar and that the deaths were preventable.

A current warning on the Department’s Exploring Parks WA reads: “Do not walk along the beach leading to Penguin Island. Strong rips and currents can occur and water depth and conditions can change rapidly. People have drowned trying to make this crossing.”

Visitors were told to purchase tickets for the privately operated ferry to reach the island, but the ferry has not been able to operate this season due to the island dock issue.

It is estimated that approximately 150,000 people visit this place every year, and tourists from all over the world come to the region especially to visit the well-known bird sanctuary.

DBCA is also responsible for providing access to the pier for ferry services.

Chad D’Souza has operated the ferry as part of his business, Perth Wildlife Encounters in Rockingham, for more than 30 years.

He fears failure to improve dock access will lead to more people drowning trying to walk to the island.

“I hate to say it, but about 15 years ago someone drowned,” Mr. D’Souza said.

“And last year we helped about 50 customers because they were trying to get there and there were no lifeguards.”

Mr D’Souza said the DBCA initially kept them up to date on the sand issue, but communication had since diminished.

He believes the DBCA has set aside $4 million for a new pier, but has been told it will take another four to five years to build.

Mr D’Souza wants a floating dock to be installed so that DBCA is not left with the task and cost of removing accumulated sand.

Perth Wildlife Encounters also offers sea lion tours, snorkeling tours and the chance to swim with wild dolphins, but Mr D’Souza also fears for the long-term future of his business if ferry services to the island do not resume.

“We’re getting frustrated every day, we’re losing more money every day, and now I’m wondering, where are we going with this?” he added.

“I mean, I have to look at saving our jobs and our staff.”

Mr D’Souza described Penguin Island as Rockingham’s biggest tourism drawcard, and other businesses were also affected without access.

“We know that a few cafes have already closed due to lack of visitors. So you know they will feel it,” he said.

“So we have some very good customers coming here.

“We’ve had Mariah Carey, we’ve had Jamiroquai, we’ve had the cricket team. They love it.

“David Attenborough filmed us for his TV series Blue Planet and it’s like they want to take that away from us.”

The little penguin population, which gave the island its name, has decreased by 94 percent since 2007, to an estimated 114 birds.

In May, the City of Rockingham wrote to the State Government urging them to close the island to tourists for two years so the little penguin population could recover.

But Mr D’Souza does not believe closing the island is the solution, as a report by scientists found tourism had little impact on the numbers.

Instead, the decline has been attributed to rising sea temperatures affecting the penguins’ food supply and migration patterns also contributing to population declines.

A number of measures were put in place to increase the population, including a longer closure period in winter, closure of the island on days when temperatures rose above 35°C, and the installation of nesting boxes to help the birds survive the heat.

Mr D’Souza believes a Discovery Center on the mainland could provide a solution and attract tourists.

The state government canceled plans to build a discovery center on the island.

A business case for a center at Mersey Point is currently being prepared and the timetable for its delivery has not yet been announced.

A DBCA spokesman said natural coastal processes had caused sand to accumulate around the Penguin Island pier.

“Contractors and DBCA staff completed sand removal work at the pier between 6-10 and 20-27 October but rapid sand accumulation continues to impact ferry access to the pier,” he added.

“Additional works may be needed before Perth Wildlife Encounters can continue ferry services to the island.

“DBCA works closely with all tourism operators at Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, including Perth Wildlife Encounters.”

Rockingham mayor Lorna Buchan said the council was responsible for the working pier on the mainland at Mersey Point.

“However, the pier at Penguin Island, managed by the Department for Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), has been affected by sand accumulation this season,” Ms Buchan said.

“The City understands that DBCA is actively working to resolve the issue.

“Penguin Island is a major tourism asset that attracts intrastate, interstate and international visitors and supports local businesses.

“Extended ferry inaccessibility may impact visitor numbers during peak season, but alternative experiences remain available at Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, including sea kayak tours and wildlife cruises.”