Broome Shire move to address accommodation, caravan site, aged care shortage with new $64 million facility

The Shire of Broome will move to address three major accommodation shortages in one fell swoop with a whopping $64 million, 13.5 hectare development in the world-famous Cable Beach area. A business case for the project — which would see lot 3130, bound by Sanctuary Road, Fairway Drive and Lillfitz Drive, developed into a 286 dwelling multi-use caravan park, featuring sites for camping, caravans and self-contained cabins — was unanimously endorsed at the July council meeting. It comes after the Shire identified a shortfall of between 400-500 caravan sites in peak months and a shortage of at least 60 self-contained retirement dwellings in Broome for people over the age of 65. To fund the project, the Shire will lobby the WA State Government and the Federal Government for funds. The project is forecast to create 140 full time jobs during the three-year construction phase, and 191 local jobs by the tenth year of operation. Shire of Broome president Harold Tracey said housing shortages were a major issue for Broome and the Shire wanted to play a role in providing a solution. “In our recent Community Scorecard process, the Broome community told us the lack of housing was an issue the Shire should try to remedy,” he said “While it is not the role of a local government to construct homes and we have a limited role we can play, I think the proposed Sanctuary Road Caravan Park, Key Worker and Over 55s Village project would have a massive impact on Broome. “The Shire hosted housing crisis roundtable meetings last year with relevant government departments and agencies, but with no real solution to the issue forthcoming, we are trying to take the initiative. Cr Tracey said the project was vital to supporting the town’s growth into the future. “Our project is shovel ready and would provide 420 sites for tourist accommodation and relocatable housing of different descriptions,” he said. “We know that Broome needs housing for critical workers, cost-effective accommodation options and homes for people over 55. “The Sanctuary Road Caravan Park, Key Worker and Over 55s Village would be a game-changer in relation to housing in our town and as such the Shire will now be advocating at State and Federal Government level to receive the required funding to get this impressive project off the ground.” According to the business case the project would be completed in stages, with key worker housing fast-tracked as stage one to address shortages as soon as possible.