Kimberley floods: Replacement of homes and Fitzroy River Bridge could take years, says transport minister

Residents in WA’s Kimberley region are counting the cost of the State’s worst flooding event, with acting transport minister John Carey raising concerns the replacement of critical infrastructure could take years to complete.

The WA Labor Minister’s remarks come after touring Fitzroy Crossing and visiting the Fitzroy Bridge — a critical freight route — which was significantly impacted by ex-tropical cyclone Ellie.

A Main Roads engineering team were assessing the damage on Wednesday, using a drone to fly under the bridge as part of their evaluation.

He warned even potential Band-Aid infrastructure solutions to connect the network could be a long-term project.

“There is a lot of commentary being made about the bridge and potential alternative options,” he said.

“Even when we talk about shorter or quicker so-to-speak options, these still will actually take a considerable amount of time.

“About half of the bridge still remains intact.

“One option could be to actually create a temporary structure that continues the bridge — but that will be based on an assessment, or there has been some consideration of a flood crossing further north.”

Main Roads have deployed three reconstruction crews of 20 people each to tour the reach with an aim of working to secure different paths.

In the Plum Plains area, Mr Carey said it was hoped the Great Northern Highway would be mended by Friday while repairs in Willare would have to wait until water recedes.

“I need to stress this, that this will be a significant long-term, plan and program,” he said.

Main Roads are just one of 30 agencies engaged in the flood recovery efforts. There are 29 aircraft assisting in the efforts.

Department of Communities is working with Horizon Power and other emergency services to assess 130 public housing in the Fitzroy Crossing area, with electrical safety raised as a risk.

Mr Carey indicated there was potential not all houses could be returned to a liveable standard.

“It depends on the level of water damage to each home,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“We’re still going to do the basic assessment, still identify which houses are damaged, which can be brought back, and then of course working with other communities affected.”

Mr Carey warned any recovery delays could be exacerbated by a heated construction market with a nationwide skilled labour shortage.

“This is Northern Australia, it is far more difficult to get tradies here in the first place. But that doesn’t waver our commitment,” he said.

Mr McGowan on Tuesday said he would not be surprised if it took “years” to rebuild the destroyed Fitzroy River Bridge, which provides a vital road link between Fitzroy Crossing and towns further east such as Halls Creek and Kununurra.