Shire of Broome endorses final concept design for safe boat launching facility at Entrance Point

A safe boat launching facility for the tourist town of Broome is now one step closer after the Shire of Broome endorsed a concept design for the harbour.

Councillors last night voted in favour of the final design at Entrance Point, which was amended in August to ensure it would not impact any historic dinosaur footprints.

It came after both the Yawuru traditional owners and Dinosaur Management Group wrote to the shire in support of the project.

This marks the final motion councillors would have to pass in relation to the harbour and allows the organisation to seek funding and progress landscape, artwork and interpretation designs with stakeholders.

The town currently has no dedicated safe boat ramp, which has led to a number of dangerous safety and access issues.

A recent independent survey revealed a boat launching facility was the second highest priority among Broome residents behind community safety.

Seventy-four per cent of 1221 respondents in the shire’s feedback survey were also in favour of the harbour.

Councillor Elsta Foy was the only elected member to vote and speak against the motion last night, which was passed six to one.

During the meeting, she said residents she had engaged with were not in favour of having the boat harbour at Entrance Point because it was an area of cultural significance that did not cater for the whole town.

Councillor Bruce Rudeforth, who moved the agenda item, said there was no other location the facility could be built and it was the town’s last chance to make a pitch to the State Government after being in the pipeline for decades.