Planning progressing on safe boat harbour

Written on the 20 December 2016

Work on a new safe boat harbour for Broome is progressing with possible locations identified and an Aboriginal heritage study now commissioned, following the latest meeting of the Broome Boat Harbour Advisory Group.

The Advisory Group was convened in June 2016 by the WA Department of Transport and is chaired by Broome Shire President, Ron Johnston, who said it was pleasing to be making progress after years of delay and indecision.

"The need for a safe boat launching facility for the Broome community and visitors is widely acknowledged, and the Shire of Broome and other stakeholders have been lobbying hard to get this to happen," Cr Johnston said.

"A preferred area for locating a facility between Entrance Point and Reddell Point has been identified, and we are now examining whether it presents any potential conflicts with Aboriginal heritage before we advance to more specific planning.

"The heritage study will be completed and ready for consideration when the Advisory Group next meets in February 2017, and from there we can progress to a specific design that can be put to the Broome community for its consideration, before funding can be sought to build the facility.

"A location in Roebuck Bay north of the Broome Port that was previously earmarked for a facility will also be investigated.

"While building a large-scale marina is not feasible in the short-term, the proposed facility would provide safe all-weather launching for recreational boaters, as well as incorporating facilities for smaller cruise ships, and docking for tenders to large cruise ships."

Source:  Shire of Broome