Patricia Gill, Denmark Bulletin
An overdue public toilet block will be built at Prawn Rock Channel with a $350,000 grant from the State Government.
The funding was redirected from the Financial Assistance Agreement between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Shire of Denmark East River Development Precinct.
This earmarked $350,000 of the remaining funding to the Shire for the installation of an ablution block at Prawn Rock Channel.
Other improvements included a beach access to be constructed from the Ocean Beach lookout and work is finished on storm erosion damage in the Prawn Rock Channel precinct.
The new toilet block will be the same as the accessible toilet block installed at Lights Beach in 2021 and will be situated on the northern side of the middle car park in the precinct.
The toilets will be a welcome facility in the peak holiday times for many families of picnickers when the nearest public facility is at Ocean Beach.
Walkers in the area have complained about the state of the PRC water and surrounds due to there being no toilets.
Overdue upgrade for popular beach site
Shire of Denmark chief executive David Schober expected the work to be completed by June 30.
Mr Schober said the works would ensure the quality of the user experience at the popular recreational site was maintained.
Last week the Shire was looking into the construction of a path down to the beach from the Ocean Beach lookout and this was also expected to be fi nished on June 30.
The path would improve access to Ocean Beach for people and dogs, year-round, while reducing disturbance of coastal dune vegetation.
Mr Schober said that following ‘recent funding disappointments’ (the axing of the Federal Government Building Better Regions Fund after three applications to replace the surf club building) he was pleased to make the announcements.
The erosion protection works, new toilet block and new beach access would be positive for community members and visitors.
They would improve the amenities and access in this ‘beautiful corner of our community’.
Mr Schober hoped the works would also reduce some of the environmental impacts which had resulted from increasing user demands at the site.
The recreational precinct had faced growing user pressures in recent years.
The letter from then WA Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan in December announcing that the $350,000 would be made available had been warmly welcomed.
This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 26 January 2023.
