Multimillion-dollar program launched for Kimberley transport upgrades

The State Government has launched a multimillion-dollar resilience program for the Kimberley, with plans to upgrade ports, airports and road infrastructure in the region. The Kimberley Resilience Program aims to ensure supply chains and transport corridors are more resilient to withstand severe weather events and other impacts on the region. Premier Roger Cook announced in Broome that more than $67 million will be invested into a range of initiatives and projects, including $6 million for new infrastructure at the Port of Broome. “We know the Port of Broome is continuing to play an increasingly important role in the economic development of the region through cruise ships, ad hoc supplies and industry supplies, but as a result of the decision by the Commonwealth Government, it will be a first point of entry,” Mr Cook said. “Broome Port will continue to be expanded to make sure it can take containers and other cargo as part of the overall resilience of this community.” Almost $54 million will be spent on replacing the single-lane Brooking Channel Bridge in Fitzroy Crossing with a dual-lane bridge, enhancing road safety, adding to supply chain resilience and providing employment opportunities in the community “This is an important part of making sure that we can take the opportunity of these skills, the equipment and the teams that exist in Fitzroy Crossing, as a result of the successful Fitzroy Crossing Bridge project,” Mr Cook said. “This is an exciting opportunity to keep people in those jobs to make sure we can maintain the momentum of that great investment and continue to build out the resilience of the supply chains as part of that highway network.” The program will also invest $8 million into upgrades for remote airstrips in the Kimberley as part of the Aboriginal Community Airstrip Renewal Program, undertaking climate change adaptation planning on 34 airstrips in communities. Funding will be allocated based on the outcomes of the planning work, targeting airstrips of the highest priority. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said improving the resilience of the transport network around the State was a priority, focusing on the issue of natural disasters. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen a number of significant weather events that have impacted the ability of people to move around, but also freight to move to their customers,” Ms Saffioti said. “So one of the focuses is working to continually improve the resilience of the Kimberley area, and this is a part of a program that we’ll be implementing to help improve the resilience.”