Major players pushing development of Broome to pitch key projects to State and Federal Governments through three-year master plan

Major players in Broome’s economy trying to reboot development in the town after it was hit by coronavirus restrictions will make a pitch to State and Federal governments to commit to a list of key projects over the next three years. The group will present the Three Year Broome COVID-19 Recovery Plan to the governments, outlining initiatives that have already started or are pending a funding commitment, in a bid to create jobs and maintain and attract residents and tourism. It has been co-signed by the Shire of Broome, Nyamba Buru Yawuru, Cruise Broome, West Kimberley Alliance and Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Kimberley Development Commission, Regional Development Australia and Office of Northern Australia. Fully-funded projects within the document include the $110 million Kimberley Marine Offloading Facility floating jetty, stage two of the Chinatown Revitalisation, Town Beach upgrade, Broome Golf Club clubhouse and function space and Jetty to Jetty Trail. The plan also outlines large-scale measures requiring funds that could still be completed within three years, including an all-access fishing jetty at Town Beach, Cable Beach foreshore redevelopment, Dampier Peninsula road enhancements and boating facility at Entrance Point. It states the pandemic interrupted a well-planned and managed growth plan in a town. “Due to Broome and the West Kimberley’s seasonality, at-risk remote communities and prominence of tourism in our jobs profile, the social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 restrictions has been very unique,” the plan states. “Critical to our future success will be building the bridge between our achievements to date and the post COVID-19 environment. “To assure the resilience of Broome going forward, the key stakeholders have come together to collaboratively find a renewed pathway forward to a strong Broome economy.” Shire councillors last Thursday decided to endorse the plan in partnership with the other organisations and present it to State and Federal Government ministers and local members. Councillors Elsta Foy, Phillip Matsumoto, Fiona West and Nik Wevers each voted against the plan.