Western Australia's popular Rottnest Island will have 75 per cent of its energy needs powered by renewables under a new $62 million upgrade.
Two new wind turbines, a large battery, additional solar panels and upgrades to ageing water and electricity infrastructure will reduce the tourism hotspot's annual carbon emissions by about 4000 tonnes, Premier Mark McGowan says.
The package will be funded in next month's state budget and is aimed at shoring up the island's green credentials to attract eco-tourists.
"One of the things we've noticed, particularly since we got Roger Federer over here a few years ago and he did his famous quokka selfie, is a lot of tourists from interstate and overseas want to come to Rottnest Island," Mr McGowan told reporters on Friday.
"Making sure it has great infrastructure, reliable power, reliable water which is powered by renewables, will help us to create jobs and ensure Rottnest continues to attract tourists."
Rottnest Island Authority chair Hamish Beck said the improvements would be rolled out over the next four years and were sorely-needed after underinvestment from previous governments.
He said the power system was "very fragile" with businesses experiencing frequent power outages.
West Australians have continued to visit Rottnest in big numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic but the island hopes to lure back interstate and overseas visitors.
"Overall we're running at about 30 per cent down on pre-COVID levels ... which is mainly the interstate and international tourism element," Mr Beck said.
"We're preparing ourselves to rebuild, ready for those numbers to come back."
He anticipated the shift to renewables would save over 500,000 litres of diesel from being shipped to the island every year.
Mr McGowan announced the funding as WA marked its first day without major COVID-19 restrictions.
West Australians no longer have to wear face masks or show proof of vaccination at most venues, while quarantine has been scrapped for asymptomatic close contacts.
People are being encouraged to continue wearing masks if they want to, with the state on Friday recording 8117 cases and two historical deaths.
"All we ask in this environment is people just use a bit of common sense," the premier said.
"We're not out of the pandemic yet but obviously we can see the finish line."
