Kimberley Marine Support Base and Nyamba Buru Yawuru sign milestone agreement for $110 million floating jetty

The private developer behind a $110 million floating jetty in Broome that would be “a game changer” for the town has signed a milestone agreement for the project with local native title holders. Kimberley Marine Support Base and Nyamba Buru Yawuru signed a memorandum of understanding recently, providing a framework for working alongside traditional owners throughout the lifetime of the wharf. The multimillion-dollar facility, a 180m x 180m floating jetty and an on-shore terminal alongside the existing Port of Broome, will be built and entirely funded by the KMSB to service oil and gas, cruising, agriculture and other industries. It is expected to create 500 permanent local jobs and 1500 around the State, and has been labelled the biggest capital works project seen in Broome this century. The State Government signed off on the measure in September and said it was an “absolute game changer” for Broome. Last week’s MOU would ensure the facility created economic opportunities for indigenous people and laid the foundation for NBY to help manage the cultural heritage and environmental considerations at the Entrance Point site. A statement to the Broome Advertiser by the KMSB last week said the two organisations had collaborated closely over the past two years to identify a “wide range of opportunities” for indigenous engagement and benefits for traditional owners. KMSB managing director Andrew Natta said the agreement was an important milestone in the development of the jetty and highlighted the company’s commitment to ensuring native title holder contribution and participation. “KMSB recognises the importance of the Yawuru’s right to benefit economically from the project and also their inherent role and responsibility to protect and manage their cultural heritage,” he said. NBY chief executive Peter Yu said the MOU was an important step in “doing business differently in the post-native title determination era”. “It doesn’t just acknowledge and celebrate Yawuru cultural heritage, it also develops pathways for Yawuru and other Aboriginal people to participate in the local economy,” he said. Broome residents overwhelmingly announced their support for the floating jetty at an annual electors’ meeting in December, with just four of 215 people voting against a motion for council to reaffirm its support for the project. The motion was carried unanimously by councillors at an ordinary meeting recently.