By Charlotte Wooldridge | posted on June 25, 2020
UPGRADES to Lights Beach are coming closer to fruition, with the Denmark Shire Council adopting a concept plan with the goal of making the site more sustainable and accessible for visitors.
A key tourist node in the Shire of Denmark, Lights Beach was flagged by public feedback for a focus on usability throughout the site, which has been incorporated into the final concept plan.
Toilet upgrades to water-wise, accessible facilities, sealed parking and formal traffic circulation, improved signage distinguishing off-leash dog areas and national park, and east and west lookouts redesigned to provide an experience for people of all abilities are a few of the ideas in the plan.
Director of Assets and Sustainability David King said in his report to Council that the increasing visitor numbers in peak season exacerbates the site’s current problems, leading to poor visitor experience.
“The carpark is sealed in part, but is not engineered to contemporary safety standards,” he said.
“Anecdotally this has resulted in a number of minor crashes due to the poor circulation spaces.
“Access to the beach is steep with little to no provision for the less able.”
The estimated costs of the works are at $750,000, with the Shire considering applying for funding through the Federal Government’s Drought Community Program.
Mr King said the development would bring many positives to Denmark.
“The improvements will see Lights Beach able to accommodate the growing visitor numbers we are experiencing year on year without the damage that currently occurs due to poor design, and a better, more inclusive experience for people of all abilities,” he said.
Local businesses will be contracted to the works, with the call for tenders anticipated in December.
