Published on Thursday, 8 July 2021 at 3:45:20 PM
Lights Beach is set to reopen on Monday 19 July following extensive access and amenity upgrades which have taken place over the past eight months.
The Denmark community has eagerly awaited news of the re-opening of the popular coastal landmark, with Shire Officers delighted to share this exciting news.
The Shire of Denmark received more than $780,000 of Federal Government grant funding in 2020/21 to perform upgrades at Lights Beach, with a long list of works included in the project scope.
The new and improved Lights Beach precinct has an increased sealed parking area with formalised circulation and parking including additional disabled parking bays. Improved universal access has been installed for both new lookouts along with a new waterwise all abilities toilet facility, making the site more user-friendly for people of all abilities.
Access to the beach has also been improved to be more user-friendly.
Extensive revegetation work has been done, led by the Shire’s Revegetation Officer Mark Parre who, assisted by students from the WA College of Agriculture Denmark, has planted locally propagated native species across the site to encourage the health and biodiversity of the coastal site for all to enjoy.
Lights Beach Concept Plan Working Group chairperson and Shire of Denmark Councillor Jan Lewis said the design for the updated site was developed in consultation with community members, staff and Councillors through the working group and with input from the Shire’s Disability Services Advisory Committee.
“The original layout of the Lights Beach precinct had a number of issues including safety concerns and access for people with mobility issues,” Cr Lewis said.
“The aim of the project was to retain the natural beauty and environment at this treasured place in our Shire, while also increasing safety and access for our community.”
“We’re pleased to also be able to say that the Federal funding we received for this project has stayed within our local economy. Not only has our community gained an incredible, improved precinct at Lights Beach, but local contractors have carried out the work which means that the funding money has stayed within our local economy for the benefit of all.”
Project Manager Damian Schwarzbach said the project ran smoothly despite some delays.
“Weather delays throughout autumn caused timeline setbacks for the project, but we took that risk when we decided to re-open the beach mid-works for the summer school holidays,” Mr Schwarzbach said.
“We also added some work to the project to help the site better handle high rainfall events in future and we hope our community feels the final result has been worth the wait. There are a few things which are yet to be completed, but we’re excited to be reopening Lights Beach for our community to enjoy and we thank everyone for their patience.”
The final works which await fine weather to be completed are line-marking, finalisation of asphalting work and sand-blasting.
Members of the public (and their dogs) will be welcome to visit Lights Beach again from Monday 19 July 2021.
Visitors are asked to please stay on paved areas, away from revegetation works and mulched areas to protect the newly planted seedlings which are still establishing.
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