Award win for Chinatown Revitalisation Project

The Chinatown Revitalisation Project has been recognised with the award for Excellence in Urban Renewal at the Urban Development Institute of Australia WA Awards 2019.

Winners were announced at the weekend with Broome Shire President, Harold Tracey, receiving the award on behalf of the Shire of Broome.

The UDIA is Australia’s peak representative body for urban development, and the urban renewal category of the awards is for projects “that demonstrate revitalisation and appropriate use of land and/or buildings in established suburbs or inner city areas”.

Cr Tracey said the award was due recognition for the whole of the Broome community that collaborated on the exciting project.

“This accolade shows that what we’ve achieved for Broome through the Chinatown Revitalisation Project really is first class,” Cr Tracey said.  

“We extend our thanks to all of those involved including our project partners, contractors, Community and Stakeholder Reference Group, and particularly the traders and property owners of Chinatown.”

The Chinatown Revitalisation Project injected $14 million into Broome’s town centre to create a more inviting and pedestrian-friendly streetscape that will attract more visitors and enhance their experience, bringing benefits to the local economy. 

The project also created a new attraction in the Roebuck Bay Lookout, expanded the town centre by connecting Dampier Tce and Frederick St, distributed grant funding to private enterprise to help generate investment, and investigated long-term gamechangers such as developing a feasibility study and business case for an iconic Kimberley Centre for Culture, Art and Story. 

Planning for Stage Two of the Chinatown Revitalisation Project is now underway after the State Government announced a commitment of $11.9 million in addition to $3.6 million from the Shire of Broome.