Funding win for foreshore

A $6.2 million project to transform a popular part of Broome has been secured with a multimillion-dollar contribution from the State Government through Lotterywest.

Popular picnic, swimming and boat-launching spot Town Beach will receive a makeover, including the development of heritage precincts and construction of a terraced viewing area for Staircase to the Moon spectators.

A lookout and memorial would also be built, the existing water park expanded and youth and nature play zones created.

Work is scheduled to begin in the 2017-18 financial year. The project has been unveiled at the same time the $12.6 million Chinatown redevelopment moves from the consultation phase to draft planning.

Both are crucial to a long-held vision of linking the areas with a public walkway along the shoreline and past mangroves overlooking Roebuck Bay.

The improvements are part of a Town Beach Precinct Master Plan drawn from the Old Broome Development Strategy that was produced after consultation and input from the community.

The master plan covers the area stretching from Town Beach Cafe through to Catalinas and was developed with the Yawuru traditional owners, the Broome Historical Society Museum, Water Corporation and other parties.

Kimberley MP Josie Farrer said the upgrade was key to ensuring an area with significant heritage and cultural value remained a safe and thriving place enjoyed by the Broome community and its visitors.

“I commend the Shire of Broome on its Town Beach Precinct Masterplan which will see the region revitalised to create a better experience for the local community and its visitors.”

Shire of Broome president Ron Johnston acknowledged the development was part of the council’s vision to link Chinatown and Town Beach with a jetty-to-jetty coastal walk.

“Town Beach is a significant location for recreation, culture and heritage in Broome and these improvements will increase its appeal for locals and visitors,” Mr Johnston said.

“The Staircase to the Moon draws thousands of visitors each year, the water park is hugely popular, night markets are drawing great crowds, and in addition we have the heritage and history of indigenous culture, the Pioneer Cemetery, old jetty and Catalina flying boat wrecks.

“The Town Beach Precinct Master Plan will build on that support and enhance the experiences at Town Beach for our community and for visitors to our town.”

“This is an exciting project and we are grateful to Lotterywest for its support for the Shire of Broome’s vision.”

Australia’s North West Tourism chief executive Glen Chidlow said the plans for the development would provide a welcome addition to Broome’s visitor amenities.

“As well as enhancing the natural and cultural attraction of Town Beach, the development will provide a better experience for the large numbers of visitors that come to see the Staircase to the Moon, one of Broome’s signature tourism events,” he said.

Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Peter Taylor said the Town Beach area was underused and development would be “great for the community and help showcase the bay to visitors”.

“Broome must continue to refresh and renew,” he said.

“I am confident that the shire will focus on ensuring the local procurement and employment during this significant development to maximise the benefits of this investment to the community.”