Big step for boat harbour bid

The long-held desire for Broome to have its own safe boat harbour as an alternative to launching and retrieving recreational vessels from beaches and ramps in big tides has taken a huge step forward. In a landmark decision, all parties guided by the Broome Boat Harbour Advisory Group have agreed to a site between the Port of Broome and Entrance Point that would include a groyne for protection from the wind and water, multiple ramps and a jetty. The State Government has allocated $1 million to develop a business case and feasibility study for the project. Shire of Broome president Harold Tracey said the crusade to build such a facility had been flagged for many decades but he felt things were now different because a location had been decided after months of research and consultation. He said the proposal aligned with Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti. Mr Tracey believes the unified approach on where to construct the harbour with all relevant information would go a long way towards convincing politicians the project was worth funding. “I have publicly made a commitment to see this proposal through from start to finish and I can honestly say I now feel we are making genuine progress in a way where everyone is working together to achieve the same goal, which has never happened before,” he said. Mr Tracey said he hoped the business case would be presented to the State Government later this year. The BBHAG involves the Shire of Broome and a number of WA government agencies and departments, including the Kimberley Ports Authority, as well as the Yawuru traditional owners, Broome Fishing Club, and Kimberley Marine Tourism Association. Ministers are kept up to date on progress by representatives sitting on the group. In 2013, former treasurer Troy Buswell withdrew $47 million he had publicly committed to the project. Since then, two proposals for marinas and property development — one using a tidal lock system — have been flagged for Broome by the private sector, but neither has managed to gain traction. The chosen site is alongside the KPA-controlled area earmarked for the $110 million Kimberley Marine Support Base incorporating a floating jetty. KPA chief executive Craig Faulker said the authority was fully supportive of a public boating facility and the chosen site. Ms Saffioti said work had started on engineering detail and construction cost estimates. She said the Department of Transport was committed to establishing an agreed and costed facility design to the State Government for funding consideration.