Broome Safe Boat Harbour project enters next phase

Planning for a safe harbour for recreational boating in Broome is progressing at a new preferred location between the Broome Port and Entrance Point following the outcome of technical studies into dinosaur footprints.

The process is being guided by the Broome Boat Harbour Advisory Group that includes the Shire of Broome, WA Department of Transport, Kimberley Port Authority, Nyamba Buru Yawuru, Broome Fishing Club, Kimberley Marine Tourism Association and Kimberley Development Commission.

The Broome Safe Boat Harbour project was allocated $1 million by the State Government to develop a business case and undertake a range of required technical studies.

Studies have included research into dinosaur footprint trackways and the site previously identified for investigation between Entrance Point and Reddell Point has now been ruled out by the Advisory Group in response to research findings.

The study undertaken by the University of Queensland found there were significant dinosaur trackways in that location and as a result the project was unlikely to receive the necessary Commonwealth environmental and heritage approvals. However, the report recommended the site between Broome Port and Entrance Point where it found the smallest concentration of dinosaur footprints.

This area is also being investigated as the location for a Kimberley Marine Support Base and the two projects are now being progressed simultaneously.

Broome Shire President and Advisory Group Chair, Harold Tracey, said that with a new preferred location identified, the Advisory Group would be consulting the wider community through a range of forums as it entered a design phase and as further technical studies were undertaken.

“This has been a painstaking process but the community can be assured that considerable work is being done behind the scenes to make safer recreational boating facilities a reality in Broome,” Cr Tracey said.  

“Our new preferred option of co-locating the Broome Safe Boat Harbour with the Kimberley Marine Support Base has the potential to provide advantages for both projects and we’re now embarking on the further work needed to find out whether this is viable.  

“The discovery of significant dinosaur footprint trackways in the area means we’ve chosen to proceed at a new preferred location and is also a fantastic opportunity for Broome tourism, and the Shire is excited to investigate opportunities such as a dinosaur interpretive centre and trails working with organisations such as the Dinosaur Coast Management Group.”