Local MP urges Federal Government to “pay up” for the Denmark Surf Life Saving Club redevlopment

Warren-Blackwood MP Jane Kelsbie has launched a petition calling on the Federal Government to “put in their fair share” of funding towards the redevelopment of the Denmark Surf Life Saving Club after the project’s application was knocked back in the latest round of Commonwealth funding. The Shire of Denmark’s proposed Ocean to Channel Recreation Precinct development project aims to protect the foreshore from coastal hazards and enhance amenities at Prawn Rock Channel and Ocean Beach. The project also intends to demolish the old surf club headquarters and construct a new building further back from the intruding coastline affected by ongoing erosion, according to club president Martin Norwood. The Shire applied for $4 million of funding in round five of the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund for the development project but learned in October that it had been unsuccessful. Several stakeholders have made significant contributions to get the project off the ground, including more than $2 million from the State Government and Lotterywest, as well as $800,000 from the Shire. Ms Kelsbie launched the petition on Monday and it had attracted 143 signatures as of Wednesday. “The State Government and key stakeholders are holding up their end of the bargain when it comes to funding the development that’s been in the planning stages since 2015, but Rick Wilson and the Federal Government are falling short,” Ms Kelsbie said. “It’s disappointing, following indications from Rick Wilson that the Ocean Beach development was his top priority, that he has now failed to support this important project. “I now implore the Federal Government and Rick Wilson to stay true to their word to the Denmark Shire and our community, to pull their weight and match the funds towards this significant redevelopment.” O’Connor MHR Mr Wilson said he wrote a letter of support for the Shire’s application. “I appreciate Ms Kelsbie's close personal interest in this project as the immediate past president and current patron of Denmark Surf Life Saving Club,” he said. “But for her and WA Labor to arrange a petition for a club she is a member of, thereby attempting to politicise the assessment process, is to completely misunderstand the Building Better Regions Fund.” Mr Wilson said the fund was highly competitive and that it was assessed at an “arm’s length to government” by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. “In the just-completed round five of the fund, nine applications were successful across my electorate of O’Connor — a remarkable result,” Mr Wilson said. “But that was from more than 25 applications that were lodged from O’Connor — an indication of just how competitive Building Better Regions is. “In the 2021 Federal Budget, $250 million was announced for a sixth round of the fund, with guidelines expected to be released soon.” Mr Wilson said he had “fully backed” the first application and would encourage the club to seek feedback and consider lodging a revised application in round six. Denmark SLSC president Martin Norwood said he was “disappointed” the club was unsuccessful in securing the crucial funds. “We were really excited about the funding, we had sort of been assured that we would get it, so it was pretty disappointing that we didn’t,” he said. “The surf club and the Shire have agreed that we will put in an application for the next round of funding.” Ms Kelsbie said the redevelopment project required “urgent attention” to meet the club’s growing demands. “With tourist numbers booming and membership numbers at the club doubling in recent times, it’s vital Ocean Beach — rated as a highly hazardous beach by Surf Life Saving WA — is given the upgrade it needs to create an accessible, multi-purpose site that caters for visitors, our community and clubbies safely,” she said. The Shire of Denmark said it would be applying for funding in round six of the program.