Patricia Gill, Denmark Bulletin
Newly-elected Warren Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts foreshadowed two controversial developments after preliminary talks with the Shire of Denmark earlier this month. They included the new supermarket on South Coast Highway and a pool.
The Shire jettisoned a 25m heated indoor swimming pool project at the Denmark Recreation Centre in 2012 due to financial woes and because the project was deemed untimely. At the time the Shire flagged revisiting the project in 2027.
Mr Eatts, who has based his only electoral office in Denmark, closing the Manjimup office from where he ran his campaign, visited with the National Party team including the party’s leader Shane Love.
The public comment period for the supermarket proposal closed on June 6.
Discussions with the Shire had focused on the possible location of a swimming pool and a poll for this purpose. Mr Eatts said it was crucial the pool project had community support.
He said the Nationals would hold the State Government to pre-election promises such as the pledged $600,000 to major projects in Denmark if Labor were returned on March 8.
These include $400,000 to upgrade the Denmark Primary School car park and $200,000 to finish the Denmark Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment.
The surf club money will ensure the upstairs clubrooms are fitted out with a new kitchen and servery cabinetry, acoustic panelling, sinks, basins, air conditioning, painting and modern light fittings.
Upgrades at the primary school will expand the kindy and pre-primary car park, increase the number of bays, improve traffic flow with a one-way entry and exit point, and create a safer drop-off zone.
Another pledge was that a re-elected State Labor Government would give William Bay National Park $3.5 million for connecting paths and trails.
Proposed works would be $1 million to upgrade the main Greens Pool access path and $850,000 for a Greens Pool connector boardwalk.
Other works would be $850,000 to upgrade the main Elephant Rocks access path and an $800,000 realignment of the Munda Biddi Trail off William Bay Road.
The aim was to improve access to Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks, including new boardwalks and sealed paths.
Upgrades also include a realignment of the Munda Biddi Trail, to direct cyclists away from the William Bay Road.
Nationals State leader Shane Love said that in its third term the State Labor Government had become increasingly arrogant in its disregard of regional areas.
As a result Warren Blackwood had been returned to the Nationals, Scott Leary was the first Albany MLA since the 1950s and Geraldton had elected a Nationals MLA, Kirrilee Warr, for the first time since 1950.
In opposition there would not be silence from the back benches when regional communities were missing out.
This article appeared in Denmark Bulletin, 26 June 2025.
