Shire sets record straight as Broome residents await consultation on $484m KMS project

Several Broome residents have again approached their local government to vent their frustration over the proposed use of the local port by Kimberley Mineral Sands, despite the Shire’s lack of involvement in the project.

The Environmental Protection Authority greenlit the $484 million Kimberley Mineral Sands Thunderbird Project this month.

The approval will allow the company to export up to 1.7 million tonnes of product a year through the Port of Broome, with up to 100 road-train movements every 24 hours along Gubinge Road.

A handful of residents, many of whom live in the area surrounding Gubinge Road, attended Shire of Broome’s council meeting in the days following the EPA’s approval to query the Shire on its action to prevent the project’s impact on tourism, cyclists, noise and pollution.

Shire of Broome president Harold Tracey has assured the public the final decision was out of the Shire’s hands.

“Should KMS decide to export through Broome, the roads it would use are the responsibility of Main Roads WA,” he said.

“While we appreciate there are concerns in the community about any increase in truck traffic, the decision on whether to allow exports through Broome Port is not one made at Shire level.”

However, Mr Tracey said the Shire might have the opportunity to advocate for the community in the future.

Should KMS proceed with the project, the company will be required to apply for road train permits through Main Roads WA but only after undertaking a traffic impact assessment and a community consultation process.

“This would include consultation with the Shire of Broome — while our corporate business plan advocates for Broome to be a logistics hub for a range of industries, we would seek to ensure that noise, air quality and traffic issues were minimised as much as possible,” Mr Tracey said.

Jan Lewis, member of the No More Trucks - Keep Gubinge Road Safe Facebook Group, said they were disappointed with the council’s response.

“The emphasis on the response that the Shire has no responsibility for what happens on a Main Roads road rather than looking at the bigger picture was particularly upsetting,” she said.

“They have not considered the potential impact on the tourist industry or to future recreational users of the port. . . or even how having a heavy haulage mining route through their town impacts on any aspect of town life.”

A Main Roads spokesperson has denied there are any safety concerns long the route.

The project is expected to create 400 construction jobs and 200 operational jobs with an Aboriginal employment target of 40 per cent.

It is also set to deliver State and Federal taxes of more than $1 billion over its life.