Federal support for Broome import plan

Expanded import capacity and cruise ship service growth could be on the cards for the Port of Broome, after the federal government reiterated its support for expanded border services.

The federal government has greenlit the Kimberley Ports Authority facility’s move for expanded first-point-of-entry status, in a move it says could open greater trade and tourism opportunities.

The move follows a $200 million investment in infrastructure at the port by privately owned Kimberley Marine Support Base, to develop a multi-user facility now under construction.

The floating platform project, which was stalled by the pandemic, is expected to drastically improve access to Broome for vessels currently limited by the region’s tides.

The state government said expanded first-point-of-entry status would allow more cargo to be directly imported into Broome.

It would potentially allow international cruise ships to travel directly into the port.

The approval clears the way for Kimberley Ports Authority (KPA) to work with Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on the design and development of essential security and biosecurity infrastructure required for expanded imports.

A resourcing plan to facilitate international vessels and cargo will also be developed.

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the government was committed to unlocking the region’s industry and economy.

“This is an important step for making it possible to import more cargo directly into Broome, reducing the need to rely on expensive road transport from distant ports such as Fremantle,” she said.

WA Ports Minister David Michael said today’s announcement was two years in the making, but that there was some way more to go.

“While there is still some way to go, this decision signals the green light for the project and we hope this means that the process can now speed up,” he said.

“I’d like to thank and congratulate KPA and the broader Kimberley business community for promoting this project with the Australian government over the past two years.”

KPA’s statement of corporate intent 2023-24, filed to the state parliament in August, outlines a plan to expand first point of entry determination at the ports of Broome and Wyndham, with a view to opening the facilities up to new trade sectors.

In October, the state committed to lobby for an expansion of coastal shipping options to alleviate supply chain risks, including for first point of entry status at KPA facilities.

Today's announcement made no mention of the Wyndham facility.

Member for Kimberley Divina D'Anna said boosting imports capability in the Kimberley would help improve connectivity to the region.

“If we can boost import capacity at Port of Broome, it will cut transport costs significantly and reduce the time it takes to have goods delivered to the Kimberley,” she said.