Firms quit after gas hub pulled

A prominent business leader says up to 30 companies have quit Broome a year after the plug was pulled on developing a liquefied natural gas plant at James Price Point, 50km north of the Kimberley town.

Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Tony Proctor said most of the 300-odd BCCI members were "fed-up" with the damage activists had caused them and the region.

"By and large most Broome businesses are fed up with what has happened to Broome caused by activities of the anti-gas lobby in the last few years and the impact that has had not only on their individual businesses, but on the town as a whole," he said.

Broome Community No Gas Campaign spokesperson Nik Wevers said the decision on JPP was made by Woodside Petroleum purely on economic grounds and that the company previously indicated the protests made no difference.

"Yes, economics are very important but if we don't have a happy, safe and secure community, we don't have a wealthy community," she said.

Mr Proctor said there was no database showing exactly how many businesses have shut in the past 12 months but BCCI membership renewals revealed "quite a number" have either closed down or reduced operations.

"Of course, not every business is a member of the chamber so we can only go on what people tell us," he said.

"But from what I hear, the number could be between 20 and 30 businesses."

Mr Proctor said the brand of Broome needed to be re-established "to dispel the view the town was too hard to do business with, or that it was the Byron Bay of the west".

He acknowledged that some companies had geared up or established in Broome in expectation that JPP would go ahead.

"But businesses, particularly small business, close for many reasons - under capitalised with no cash reserves or strategy and business plan, proprietors deciding to retire, structural change in the economy, like retailers unable to compete with online shopping, lack of innovation and ability to change with market trends and regional higher costs of doing business such as rents and transport," he said.

Mr Proctor said some businesses were doing well while others were struggling, but most were surviving.

"For example, cutbacks in Government spending are affecting some sectors of the building and construction industry," he said.

"Retail remains sluggish.

"The trend in last minute bookings for accommodation masks the tourism industry at this time of the year and some establishments are concerned that the cancellation of North West Expo will impact bookings that they already have."

Mr Proctor said Broome was a natural logistics hub with a working port, airport and road transport for the offshore Browse Basin and the on-shore Canning Basin as well as agriculture, mining and pastoral.

"We have so many opportunities and the Broome business community needs to stand up for itself to make sure that we economically develop as a community," he said.

Former Pindan Labour Solutions recruitment company director Brett Donald said Broome was still suffering a JPP hangover.

"If the town responds in a more positive way in its attitude towards welcoming business investment, Broome could prosper to where it should be," he said.