Massive $800,000 upgrades unveiled at Waroona’s Drakesbrook Weir including giant marron named ‘Clawed’

A whole fresh look has been unveiled for the Drakesbrook Weir, including a new marron-themed playground.

The $800,000 upgrades were showcased on Saturday, preceeding the official opening of Waroona’s eighth Troutfest.

The upgrades saw a new nature-based playground opened with a colossal marron as the centrepiece as well as new barbecue areas and accessible toilet facilities.

The Waroona community was invited to help name the marron with shire president Mike Walmsley officially naming the massive marron Clawed.

“I am very proud of our nature playground, the Aborigonal artwork and the sustainable infrastructure designed to preserve the natural beauty of our beloved weir,” he said.

Regional Development and Fisheries Minister Don Punch said the improved amenities at Drakesbrook Weir would be appreciated by residents and the many thousands of people visiting Waroona each year.

“As interest and migration to Waroona continue to grow, these transformative projects underscore an exciting period of growth, evolution and belonging,” he said.

Mr Punch said the new giant marron was a sensational addition with the new slides breaking records as the heaviest slides in WA.

Both he and Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke took a turn down the slides and Mr Punch said he would highly recommend it.

“It’s great fun,” he said.

Mrs Clarke said she was thrilled to see the upgrades completed with the State Government delivering $2 million in total to upgrades within the Waroona region.

She said $1.2 million was invested into the Yalgorup National park and the remainder on the weir, with future upgrades still in the pipeline.

“Waroona’s newly upgraded Drakesbrook Weir enhances the region’s appeal as a top destination for nature and water-based activities,” she said.

“It’s wonderful to see the local community already embracing this space, with the giant marron installation a centrepiece of the upgrades.

“Clawed is just sensational.”