Flood-stricken Kimberley gets $67m boost

The state government has invested $67.5 million to help rebuild the Kimberley region, which has been hit by floods and other natural disasters in recent years.

The Kimberley Resilience Program launched this morning, includes an initial $67.5 million fund comprising $53.5 million towards replacing the single-lane Brooking Channel bridge with a dual lane crossing, $6 million for new Port of Broome infrastructure, and $8 million in upgrades to airstrips through the Aboriginal Community Airstrip Renewal program.

The $8 million airstrip contribution is additional to the $750,000 investment in the state budget for climate change adaptation planning on 34 airstrips in remote communities, the state government said.

Catastrophic floods hit the state’s Kimberley region in early 2023, causing the collapse of Fitzroy Crossing bridge and destruction of other properties.

The flood was described as “once-in-a-generation” and the biggest in 100 years.

“The Kimberley will always be prone to flooding and cyclones, so it’s vital that we put the region in the best possible position to bounce back from natural disasters if and when they occur,” Premier Roger Cook said.

“Helping Broome to become a first port of entry will significantly reduce the Kimberley’s reliance on the road network, while opening up new trade opportunities for the State’s north.”

The wet season in 2024 has again impacted the roads and supply chains from the region.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the state government was targeting investments in key areas of the supply chains including ports, airports and roads.

“We’ve seen how devastating extreme weather events can be in the Kimberley region, and this program is about ensuring the region can better respond to emergencies when they arise and ensure supply chains are as resilient as possible,” she said.

Ports Minister David Michael said the $6 million budget allocation is part of the continued work with the federal government to expand Broome’s port and establish it as the first point of entry (FPOE).

“FPOE status would allow more cargo to be directly imported into Broome's port, supporting local projects and industries to bring in essential materials cost effectively,” he said.

“The Kimberley Ports Authority will now work with Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on the design and development of essential security and biosecurity infrastructure and a resourcing plan to facilitate international vessels and cargo arriving in Broome.”

Replacing the collapsed Fitzroy River Bridge costed the state $250 million.

The state and federal governments have also invested $542.7 million to seal 313 kilometres of Tanami Road, and jointly funded $33 million to replace three single-lane bridges on the Great Northern Highway at Arthur Creek, Tickalara Creek and Frog Hollow Creek.