William Bay National Park has finally reopened in time for summer after being closed for nine months

After almost a year, Denmark’s William Bay National Park — which includes popular tourist spots Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks — has officially reopened to the public. Environment Minister Stephen Dawson declared the area open from 1pm on Tuesday, after announcing the completion of the first two stages of the William Bay National Park renewal project. In 2019, the State Government invested $4.4 million over two years to renew outdated visitor infrastructure in the park and to help protect coastal vegetation. The numerous upgrades include newly sealed roads and carparks, toilet blocks, picnic tables, bicycle racks, and signs. The new design has doubled the tourist hotspot’s parking capacity to accommodate more than 200 vehicles, including 182 standard parking bays, disability parking bays, 10 long vehicle bays, 15 motorcycle bays and two coach bays in the Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks areas. The next stages of the project will be in progress for the next 12 months and will include upgrading access paths to beaches and construction of new lookouts and interpretative signs. Mr Dawson confirmed the project was on budget, but was not on time because of COVID-19 and weather delays. After being closed since February, the opening of this pristine part of the Great Southern has brought much relief to locals. Mr Dawson said he wanted to thank the community for their patience. “I understand the local community were disappointed (with the closure), this is a beautiful area ... sensational, and it’s a big part of people’s social life down here, so I understand their frustration between COVID-19 and the weather that caused delay,” he said. “I think we’ll have big crowds of local people here, and obviously over the days ahead tourists and others from further afield will come and explore and it’s great for local businesses too. “They come to the park and then stop in town and spend locally ... it’s a winner on all levels, “I think everybody will enjoy this fantastic new infrastructure here, it really makes a difference and I think it will bring more people to the area.” Safer roads, including a newly sealed 2.6km of Madfish Bay Road, improved parking facilities and pedestrian pathways will cater to high visitor numbers in the area. Mr Dawson said the diverse landscape and turquoise waters attracted more than 300,000 visitors each year. “It’s a pristine environment down here, the rocks are amazing to see,” he said. “This has been on the calendar for many West Australians for a long time and it’s very important for local people who swim here on a daily basis, so it’s magnificent and it really has warranted an upgrade.”