Council backs overdue infrastructure program for Gracetown residents

Gracetown residents could see a raft of basic projects delivered as part of a first priority plan authorised last week by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council.

The breakthrough came after several years of agitation from the Gracetown-Cowaramup Bay Community group which led to the latest report, commissioned by Shire chiefs after a motion earlier this year from Cr David Binks.

The Gracetown infrastructure plan will see a community playground, bollards and culverts, stairs at Huzzas surf break and seating at Cowaramup Bay, the town centre and Melaleucas public open space as a priority, but is subject to funding in the upcoming shire budget.

Other items in the plan included parking and footpath projects for Cowaramup Bay Road, Salter Street and the village centre.

Lower-ranked items included formalisation of public open spaces and the possible sealing of the swimmers’ beach carpark, while work on Gracetown Hall and more for the main beach were future proposals.

The Times understands the new playground will be co-funded by the community group that has already banked $100,000 towards the project.

Last Wednesday night’s meeting was also told of further requests from Friends of Gracetown and Cowaramup Bay joint co-ordinator Megan Garnett seeking urgent restoration work at key points, including the hamlet’s centre.

“It is an absolute disgraceful mess,” she said.

The group also wanted definite action on the hamlet’s prized beach, with vegetation damaged by a major illegal party last year and people accessing Cowaramup Bay through dunes.

“Main beach has been waiting for love for 30 years,” Ms Garnett said.

GCBC chairman Richard Muirhead welcomed the shire plan which he said needed to advance now the community was no longer waiting for DevelopmentWA’s plans for a now-abandoned subdivision on Salter Street.