WA’s pink lake tries to flush away problems with being State’s number two attraction

WA’s beautiful pink lake near Kalbarri has become a smash hit with tourists — but its popularity has left the shire grappling with an increasingly unsightly problem. The prevalence of public defecation has become so great at Hutt Lagoon that the Shire of Northampton has installed signs telling visitors the dos and don’t of toilet etiquette. And as the Chinese New Year approaches, the area is hiring 10 portable toilets at a cost of nearly $30,000 in a bid to cope with an expected influx of tourists. Shire president Craig Simkin said they had been told to expect 200 coachloads of visitors over the 13-day New Year period from January 22 to February 5. The lake is a social media favourite and has become increasingly popular with mainland Chinese visitors. However, the nearest permanent toilets are a little over 1km away at Port Gregory and this has proved too far for many tourists. “It’s been happening on roadsides for probably 50 years but it’s just become a concern now there is one or two cars there at any one time,” Mr Simkin said. “Over the last three years the tourism aspect of the pink lake is increasing the problem. At Easter time there was 54 cars there, it will be interesting to see what happens into the next couple of weeks.” The shire and the Mid West Development Commission have been trying for years to get adequate toilet and parking facilities. But Mr Simkin said they had been hampered by lack of funds and the fact that the shire does not own or control the land. The area which tourists frequent is partly owned by Main Roads. He said the shire had secured a grant from Tourism WA to hire the portable toilets.