Jurien Bay Hall temporarily shut for review into building’s future

Jurien Bay Hall, which has been left to fall into a “dreadful” state, has been temporarily closed with its future remaining uncertain.

Dandaragan Shire Council has voted to close the hall until council has considered the findings of a review into the future of the building. Planning officer Rory Mackay told councillors an inspection report of the 1971 building listed numerous maintenance and renewal works.

“Shire development services staff anticipate that major compliance issues will come apparent if and when the asbestos sheeting is removed from the building,” he wrote in his report.

“Such compliance concerns are the need for disability amenities and access, and plumbing and electrical wiring overhauls.

“The hall’s stud framing may also need replacement once revealed in cladding replacement works.”

We don’t like having to make these difficult decisions but ... we will see what appetite there is in the community to bring it back again.

At public question time before the last council meeting, Joyce Evans said the markets and tennis coaching clinic required the toilets, and that there was a lack of bins which she had requested.

Shire president Leslee Holmes said the hall, which was not heritage listed, had been in a “dreadful position” for some time.

“We’ve decided a temporary closure will give us an opportunity to see what the cost will be to bring it back up,” she said. “We don’t like having to make these difficult decisions but it will go out to community consultation so we will see what appetite there is in the community to bring it back again.

“We want the community to help make these important decisions.”