Preferred area touted for boat facility

A location for a safe boat harbour in Broome between Entrance Point and Reddell Point has been touted as a “preferred area” for the facility.

A study has now been commissioned to examine any potential conflicts involving Aboriginal heritage before Broome Boat Harbour Advisory Group advances to more specific planning.

The 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,” he 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.”

Mr Johnston said the study would be ready for consideration when the group next meets in February 2017.

“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,” Mr Johnston said.

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

Mr Johnston said that while building a large-scale marina was 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.