Material tested after Rotto asbestos scare

The result of tests determining whether a blue material found on West Australian holiday destination Rottnest Island is asbestos is expected in the coming days.

The potential asbestos scatter was reported by a visitor on Monday after they discovered the material behind units in the main settlement, near the visitor centre.

Rottnest Island Authority chairman John Driscoll said although it was not confirmed the material was asbestos, the area had been closed off and cleaned as a precaution.

The area has since been reopened after all the material was removed from the island and sent for testing.

Mr Driscoll said the results were expected in the coming days.

It was likely the material was exposed by heavy rains on the island earlier in the week, he said.

"Already the area has been thoroughly searched and, we believe, to the point where it was safe to reopen that area," Mr Driscoll said.

"If it is found to be asbestos, a wider area will probably be looked at as well.

"But the immediate area has been made safe at the moment."

About 25,000sq m of asbestos roofing on Rottnest Island was replaced with Colorbond between 2005 and 2006.

Mr Driscoll said all known asbestos on the island was inert and not a threat to people.