Shire’s concerns over bay protection proposals

The Shire of Broome has taken the unusual step of publicly advertising concerns stemming from proposals to protect iconic Roebuck Bay that the council says could restrict public access, stifle development opportunities, and jeopardise work to safeguard the town from erosion.

Despite the council being involved with the State Government and traditional owners the Yawuru to develop a marine park and conservation estate it has flagged a number of potential issues in theBroome Advertiser , including possible impacts on Port of Broome operations.

The proposed Roebuck Bay Marine Park management plan and Out of Town Conservation Estate management plan are now out for public comment.

They have been developed by the WA Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW), for the areas to be jointly managed by the Yawuru.

The DP&W hit back saying the proposals had resulted from extensive consultation, including the council, and that they “did not include the Broome town site foreshore to allow development opportunities by the Shire”.

“Any development or coastal works outside the marine park would remain the responsibility of the Shire of Broome or Broome Port Authority and would follow the usual planning and approvals processes unaffected by the marine park plan,” a DP&W spokesperson said.

The DP&W said the Yawuru Birragun Conservation Park draft management plan proposed continued and improved recreation access, facilities and services to a number of sites along much of the northern shore of Roebuck Bay, in addition to Willie Creek and Coconut Wells.

Broome Shire President Graeme Campbell said the council supported the introduction of the marine park and conservation estate, but that concerns still remained over the potential impacts of the current proposals on the town’s future development.

Mr Campbell said the council would make a submission to DPaW outlining a range of concerns such as the inclusion of Dampier Creek and Port of Broome waters in the proposed marine park, and “the impact on responsible development due to the proximity of the marine park to the Broome town site, Chinatown, Town Beach and the Port of Broome.

“Revetment work planned by the Shire to prevent further erosion of pindan cliffs near Town Beach could also be affected or prevented,” he said.

“There are also concerns the Out of Town Conservation Estate would create uncertainty about community access to the Roebuck Bay foreshore and Dampier Creek.”

The proposed Yawuru Nagulagun/Roebuck Bay Marine Park Indicative Joint Management Plan 2015 (Marine Park Areas) is located immediately south of Broome, and covers about 78,800ha from Minyirr (Gantheaume Point) in the north to Miriny (Cape Villaret) in the south.

The Conservation Park included in the Yawuru Birragun Conservation Park Draft Management Plan 2015 (Out of Town Areas) encompasses those areas from Eco Beach through to Willie Creek, with the seaward boundary extending to the high water mark.

Full details of the two plans and information on making a submission are available on the DPaW website at www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/yawuru.