Opposition calls for Hamelin Pool stromatolites boardwalk to be fixed, two years on from cyclone damage

The Opposition has called on the State Government to fund the repairs of an iconic boardwalk located in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, following cyclone damage more than two years ago. A popular tourism jetty offering a view of rare stromatolite formations at Hamelin Pool, 100km south-east of Denham was damaged by Seroja in April 2021. The 200m boardwalk remains damaged and the beach left fenced off, preventing visitors from getting close to the water. North West Central MP Merome Beard said she had received feedback suggesting the Shark Bay Visitor Centre had seen around 40,000 visitors this year, about half of which were in some way disappointed about the boardwalk’s closure. “Hamelin Pool is an important link between the site-to-site World Heritage area and to have this key piece of the puzzle inaccessible is negatively impacting the whole region and can’t go on,” she said. Ms Beard called on the State Government to deliver additional funds to upgrade and expand the jetty. A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions spokesperson said the jetty should be replaced rather than repaired. Demanding urgent action from Environment Minister Reece Whitby, Ms Beard said it “wasn’t good enough” that the boardwalk had been closed off to the public two years on. “We might have the best place to view stromatolites in the world but at the moment no one is viewing it because the Government hasn’t shown leadership,” she said. “Prior to Seroja, there were around 130,000 visitors to Hamelin Pool, with numbers at the adjacent caravan park well down. “This is a world-class wonder that needs world-class amenities. Today we are seeing this asset wasted and the minister sitting on his hands.” The DBCA is still exploring their options for replacement.