Buswell buoys boat hopes

Transport Minister Troy Buswell has given the clearest sign yet the State Government is poised to bankroll the proposed boating facility in Broome.

But the pay-off is the $50 million development will be drastically watered down and include just the basics, such as a breakwater, jetty and all-tidal launching ramps.

It is understood Mr Buswell told Shire president Graeme Campbell and chairman of the project’s community reference group chairman Jeff Cooper a $15-million pre-election commitment towards the boating facility from Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls would be honoured in the State Budget on August 8.

The State has already committed $35 million, so an additional $15 million would take the total to $50 million.

Mr Cooper took Mr Buswell by boat to Gantheaume Point last Tuesday to highlight the issues facing more than 1600 recreational boaters and fishers in Broome.

“He got to experience that firsthand,” he said.

“He got to see the trauma that boat owners need to go through, and he shared our anxieties about putting cars in the water and getting boats in and out of the water,” he said.

Mr Cooper said he was confident the project, at the slipway near the Port of Broome in Roebuck Bay, would now progress with construction starting as early as next year.

“It could be anticipated the $15 million pre-election commitment for further development of the project from Brendon Grylls will come through when the budget is announced,” he said.

“Going against the current plan, you could probably expect to see stuff happening at the beginning of next year or the middle of next year, once all the contracts have been awarded.”

But it appears the trade-off was for a far less sophisticated development with a budget price tag.

“It is not going to be a full-scale marina,” Mr Cooper said. “It is not going to be an allsinging, all-dancing boating facility.

It is going to be a rudimentary one, but it will do the job.

We need to be realistic about some of the expectations.

“When we first sat down and talked about what we wanted with a boating facility we wanted it to be all-weather access.

We wanted it to have dual petrol and running water and multiple jetties.

He said the project was expensive.

“I think it would be a little unrealistic of people to expect the complete Rolls Royce,” he said.

“At least we are going to get something that is going to work.”

Mr Cooper said Mr Buswell expressed “compassion” for a resolution and put a “couple of options on the table”.

“Things are certainly going to be progressing with the boating facility, and Mr Buswell (is) very keen to see things progress,” he said.

“Three weeks ago I was very sceptical, but the minister understands the impact this is having on people and is committed to seeing it through.”