- Drakesbrook Weir upgrades officially launched at Troutfest 2024
- New nature playground and upgraded visitor facilities set to enhance the popular Waroona waterway
- Project supported by $800,000 funding from Cook Government
Regional Development and Fisheries Minister Don Punch has officially opened upgrades at Drakesbrook Weir, completed in time for the 2024 Troutfest celebrations in Waroona.
Nestled in the heart of Waroona, the picturesque Drakesbrook Weir has long been a haven for recreation and tourism in the Peel region.
The upgrades include a children's nature playground, accessible toilet facilities, barbeque areas, picnic shelters, shade structures, and improved parking.
The enhancements are designed to complement the natural landscape, with the new playground offering children a space to explore, play, and connect with nature.
A unique feature of the enhanced space is a giant marron that has been installed reflecting the Weir as the place to fish for rainbow trout, redfin perch and marron.
The State Government invested $800,000 into the project as part of the Peel Regional Trails 2021 election commitment, facilitated by the Peel Development Commission and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The launch of the upgrades coincides with celebrating one of Waroona's biggest events of the year, the eighth annual Troutfest celebrations, that will see hundreds of trout take the plunge into the weir.
The event is presented by the Shire of Waroona and Recfishwest, supported by Alcoa and delivered in partnership with Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Healthway, Fishability and Act Belong Commit.
The day will be filled with activities and events for the community to enjoy with the event being fishing-licence free, so everyone with a rod can get involved. There will be stalls, food and live music on display making it a standout day for the community.
Visitor information on Drakesbrook Weir can be found on the Shire of Waroona website: https://www.waroona.wa.gov.au/visit-waroona/what-to-do/parks-lakes-beaches.aspx
As stated by Regional Development and Fisheries Minister Don Punch:
"The improved amenities at Drakesbrook Weir will be appreciated by both locals and the many thousands of people visiting Waroona each year.
"By investing in the Peel region's tourism and recreation infrastructure, the Cook Government is supporting economic growth and development, providing a boost to tourism in the area.
"As interest and migration to Waroona continue to grow, these transformative projects underscore an exciting period of growth, evolution and belonging."
As stated by Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke:
"Waroona's newly upgraded Drakesbrook Weir enhances the region's appeal as a top destination for nature and water-based activities.
"The project is providing inviting, family-friendly recreational areas that cater to the diverse needs of the community and provide visitors with an even more enriching experience.
"It's wonderful to see the local community already embracing this space, with the giant marron installation - a centrepiece of the upgrades - to be named after a competition run by the Shire of Waroona.
"The upgrades have made this Western Australian gem an even more cherished destination, creating a recreational hotspot that will encourage families to stay longer and visit our town more often."
