Bracing for Bremer Bay boom

Police, medical staff and Bremer Bay locals are bracing for one of the biggest parties on the south coast, with the usually sleepy seaside town set to explode over the festive period.

If you have been to Bremer Bay during the festive season, you will know thousands of people from across the Wheatbelt and Great Southern flock to the usually quiet town.

With a typical population of about 380 residents, the small beach town is about to enter its busiest time of the year when that number skyrockets to 7000 or more.

Extra police, nurses and a paramedic will be brought to the town to help keep revellers safe.

The Shire of Jerramungup council last year commissioned a Peak Population Analysis Report to analyse the influx of festive-season visitors.

The report found that between December 27, 2017 and January 2, 2018 the estimated additional income brought to the town by visitors was between $977,000 and $1,115,000, with an additional 91/2 jobs created during the period.

Accommodation in town has already been booked out, with one of the biggest parties on the south coast to take place at the Bremer Bay resort on New Year’s Eve.

Shire chief executive Martin Cuthbert said Bremer Bay had experienced the summer-holiday influx for many years, and as it grew, residents had grown accustomed to it.

“The Shire ensures there are additional refuse collections in town and cleaning done of facilities,” he said.

“We also provide additional ranger services to the town and surrounding area during this time to monitor camping, fires, vandalism and rubbish. We want people to be safe while they enjoy themselves.

“A community paramedic is based in Bremer Bay for a month and nursing resources are increased.”

There have been upgrades to Meechi Road this year to make travelling to Bremer Bay safer.

While the town receives an economic boost, the influx of visitors in the area also has its pitfalls.

During the 2018-19 new year period, residents were outraged at the amount of rubbish, property damage and theft.

Mr Cuthbert said residents wanted visitors to heed the message “respect Bremer”.

Jerramungup police are bringing in extra officers. Acting Sgt Adam Winter said they were expecting the population to reach 9000. Police would have constant patrols in place from December 29-January 2.

“We will be targeting road traffic offences, drink-driving, speed and seatbelts predominantly,” he said.

“But we will also be looking at anti-social behaviour and underage drinkers and encouraging people not to supply juveniles with alcohol.

“Historically, four-wheel-drivers haven’t caused too much of a problem; by large they do that quite responsibly and we hope that continues, but be aware of small children and dogs on the beaches and do it responsibly. If people have a beer too many and need to put their head down, we ask that they do it somewhere visible and not in the bush so we know where they are in the event of a bushfire or injuries.”