Published on Monday, 22 January 2024 at 4:23:00 PM
As summer holidays come to a close, a different type of activity will keep Ocean Beach a bustling hive of energy from mid-February onwards as the first stage of highly-anticipated redevelopment works begin.
The staged project, which includes the construction of a new sea wall, expanded public space and access, plus new toilets and refurbishments to the Surf Club building, will officially start on 12 February 2024.
In the interests of public safety - and a streamlined construction timeline - Ocean Beach will be closed to the public from 12 February until further notice.
The boat launch site at Ocean Beach will also be closed, with Emergency Services and Marine Rescue the only exemptions. Swimmers, surfers, fishers and others will be able to access the beach from the newly constructed stairs accessible from the recently refurbished Ocean Beach lookout. *Please see map below
Community members and visitors are asked to respect all safety/exclusion signage and fencing, as well as instructions from contractors on site, who will work as quickly and as diligently as possible to deliver this exciting project for the benefit of our community and generations to come.
Community members who wish to receive direct updates about closures and disruptions at Ocean Beach during the life of the redevelopment project can subscribe to receive updates here: https://www.yourdenmark.wa.gov.au/ocean-to-channel-recreation-precinct
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s involved in the first stage of this project? Stage One of the project is the construction of a new sea wall, which will remove the unsightly temporary sea wall and create additional grassed space for community members and visitors to enjoy. Works will include the demolition and removal of the Old Patrol Building, which was agreed in consultation with the Denmark Surf Lifesaving Club as essential to enable the new sea wall to be constructed, therefore protecting the remainder of the public area at Ocean Beach from the impacts of erosion.
Tender negotiations for the remaining stages of the redevelopment are still in progress. We’ll have further updates about what’s next for this project when negotiations are finalised.
Where will the Surf Club operate from? We’re working in close collaboration with the Denmark Surf Lifesaving Club on the delivery of this project, but please contact the club directly for information about their operations during closures at Ocean Beach.
Why does the boat launch need to be closed? Contractors will be operating in the area with heavy machinery and other equipment. Emergency Services and Marine Rescue will be able to liaise with contractors in an emergency.
Why now? It’s still summer, why close the beach during peak period? We’ve delayed commencement until the summer holidays are finished to reduce impacts, but we cannot delay further because the project is partially funded and we must deliver the works within an agreed timeline. The timing of the works also aligns with the expected closing of the Wilson Inlet sandbar which will allow sufficient beach space for heavy machinery to operate a safe distance from the water.
When will Ocean Beach re-open? If construction timelines allow windows of safety for the beach to be reopened to the public during the project, we will communicate that information as widely as possible. But at this stage, we have no planned reopening date. Please subscribe to receive updates about disruptions and openings here: https://www.yourdenmark.wa.gov.au/ocean-to-channel-recreation-precinct
This project is proudly funded by Department of Transport, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest, Denmark Surf Life Saving Club and the Shire of Denmark.
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