No parking on Denmark’s Ocean Beach when public boat launching capabilities resume next month

The parking of vehicles and boat trailers on Denmark’s Ocean Beach will be largely prohibited when the public’s access to boat launching at the beach resumes next month.

Launching boats from the beach has been heavily restricted since December 23. when a vehicle access road down to the beach was temporarily closed because of safety concerns.

The decision to close the access road had been jointly made by representatives from the Shire of Denmark, local police, the Denmark Surf Life Saving Club, Marine Rescue, and the Denmark Boating and Angling Club.

The group of representatives met again to review the closure this week as planned, and the road will be reopened for boat launching from February 1.

The decreased visitation resulting from the end of summer holidays and the increased width of the beach were considered by the group as factors that could lead to the ramp’s safe reopening.

As part of the agreement to reopen the beach access, the Shire has committed to increase compliance actions against non-authorised vehicles using the beach access track in an effort to ensure emergency services are unimpeded.

Authorised vehicles will be limited to emergency response vehicles and craft, permit holders, water safety vehicles and craft, and vehicles launching or recovering boats.

The Shire will work with key stakeholders to identify new areas for trailer parking.