Future of Kimberley is bright

Tourism and the emerging offshore oil and gas industry can successfully work together and play a crucial role in the development of Broome, a privately funded $220,000 study has found.

The newly published report was commissioned by Broome Future, a not-for-profit company founded by corporate and community leaders concerned about the future of the town and the Kimberley.

In what the authors believe is the most significant-ever review of the Kimberley capital, a team from Perth-based Australian Venture consultants has spent the past 12 months examining commercial and cultural factors driving the community.

One of the key findings was that tourism, and oil and gas activity generated from the Browse Basin, about 420km from Broome, would create year-round demand for jobs, transport services and residential development.

Other parts of the economy including agriculture, aquaculture, mining, construction and the delivery of government services, were singled out as playing a major role in 21st century Broome.

The report has underlined the significance of the region's natural environment and "strategic" location.

Chaired by former WA Governor Dr Ken Michael, Broome Future wants to involve the community in building a sustainable future for the town and region.

"It is not Broome Future's role to tell people what they need to do," he said.

"Rather, the company has produced an evidence-based analysis to facilitate community discussion, and action."

Dr Michael said the approach had been well received by the community, with a wide range of organisations and individuals having subscribed to Broome Future and engaged in the development of the inaugural project report titled: Unlocking the Door: A study into the Feasibility of Broome as a Commercial and Logistics Hub for the Kimberley Region.

Broome Future is based on similar organisations Australia-wide encouraging communities to have a say in local planning agendas.

Long-term Broome resident Ron Johnston is one of nine Broome Future board members.

"The report offers an evidence-based analysis of the social, cultural, environmental and economic issues important to the region - encouraging community discussion, debate, planning and action," he said.

"Like much of regional Australia, the Kimberley is not short of aspirational plans for its future - typically glossy summaries of what the region could become socially, economically and environmentally. As the basis for this study we asked a different question: what is standing in the way of the sustainable economic, cultural and social development of the Kimberley?

"We examined some of the barriers to growth and the strategies to overcome them."

The 370-page report reviews Broome's status as the main logistics and commercial centre for the Kimberley.

It outlines the potential for Broome to become a modern diversified hub through the Port of Broome and Broome International Airport.

Broome Future deputy chairman Peter Yu said the report had set a new benchmark for its comprehensive nature on issues critical to the community's consideration.

"If we can work with and help the community in defining an improved, transparent and inclusive development pathway it will be an important contribution towards achieving a common purpose for the future of the town and region," he said.

He said the next step would be community forums to set priorities for future growth.

Broome Future's report can be found at http://www.broomefuture.com.

Forum locations, dates and times will be available shortly.