Terminal to boost tourism

Broome Port Authority is investigating the concept of developing a cruise ship terminal that would allow passengers to fly in and out of the Kimberley town.

Port chief executive Vic Justice said it would be a multimilliondollar project requiring State Government approval and take possibly three to five years to complete.

“We can’t value add to the cruise ship industry until we build this facility,” he said.

The terminal would be modelled on the one in Darwin and built on port land between Broome Fishing Club and the nearby Toll Mermaid storage facility.

“A cruise ship terminal with full screening capabilities for passengers and baggage items is essential if Broome is ever to become a major cruise ship destination, and a joining and leaving port for ship passengers,” Mr Justice said.

“The importance of becoming a joining and leaving port to the tourism industry is that if several hundred passengers fly to Broome to join a ship, then the airport and airlines obviously benefit, and some of these passengers might opt to arrive in Broome several days prior to joining the ship and thereby utilise Broome accommodation and visit tourist locations. The reverse occurs if passengers leave their ship in Broome.”

Broome International Airport chief executive Nick Belyea commended the plan.

“BIA would work with the port and Tourism WA, particularly if it involves more passengers arriving or departing by air, who would be likely to stay several days experiencing the sights and attractions the town has to offer, and putting much needed funds into the local economy,” he said.

Mr Justice said the micro-cruise industry might also benefit from a dedicated cruise terminal where expensive passenger and baggage security screening facilities would become available to meet transport security requirements.

“It is not a dream as such, it will form part of our strategic development plans and it is something we have just got to keep pushing for and try to make happen,” he said.

“The funding for it is not that great in terms of various budgets but at this stage it is a bit more than what we can afford.

“We have just got to allow the other activities within the port to grow, which will enable us to fund a cruise ship terminal.”

Mr Justice said there was potential for new Kimberley-related tourist experiences within an hour’s drive from town that would appeal to visitors and make Broome a vital part of their itinerary.

“This could include a cattle station visit to Roebuck Plains, where cruise ship passengers might see cattle being rounded up by horsemen, pat a calf, watch a whipcracking demonstration, buy some leather goods and enjoy a barbecue,” he said.

Mr Justice said the terminal would become viable “once we get some form of commitment from the cruise companies that if we build it, they will use it or to promote the using of it.”

The port authority is working with government departments and agencies, including Tourism WA, in a high-level study related to how the port might be made more attractive to the cruise ship industry.

“This study is coupled with our strategic planning towards the eventual construction of a cruise ship terminal,” he said.

Tourism WA chief executive Stephanie Buckland said the improvement of infrastructure for cruise ships at Broome was an important part of the strategy to grow the industry in the town and region.

“The current Broome port infrastructure cannot accommodate the larger vessels and so those cruise ships are going to Port Hedland,” she said.

“So, it is important that any new infrastructure is able to accommodate large cruise vessels.”

Ms Buckland said Tourism WA has contributed into a Department of Transport study into the demand and infrastructure requirements for the Port of Broome.

“Tourism WA is providing ongoing input to ensure the scope of the investigation continues to include identifying the value, demand and port (marine and terrestrial) infrastructure needs of the cruise shipping industry,” she said.