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Community support for the majority of proposals to improve safety along the coast at Broome will see the Department of Transport (DoT) implement a number of important changes to enhance boating safety at Broome.

DoT Kimberley Operations Manager Daren Hutchins said there had been support from the community in relation to four of the five proposed changes as part of the formal Broome Aquatic Use Review process. 

He said DoT would increase the current 8 knot area within Gantheaume Bay to encompass Broome Port moorings to ensure skippers travel at a safe speed after more than 70% of respondents to an online survey supported the proposal.

“There was also support to increase the 8 knot area within the Broome Port from Entrance Point to Town Beach covering all of the mooring locations and to remove the historic Personal Water Craft (PWC) Freestyling Prohibited areas at Gantheaume and Roebuck Bay to enable greater recreational aquatic activities,” Mr Hutchins said.

“A decision has been made to proceed with the proposed increase in size of the water ski area within Gantheaume Bay north of the new 8 knot area, after nearly 50% of respondents supported and nearly 40% opposed this change.  This will simplify the boundaries for users, between the new 8 knot area and the closed waters motorised vessels area (Cable Beach), reducing congestion and making boating safer in the area.”

The proposal to reduce southern boundary of the closed waters motorised vessels area by 255 metres to better accommodate commercial operations in Gantheaume Bay received limited support and will not be implemented.

The review also asked for feedback on the requirement of the Entrance Point leads which were recently decommissioned following a request from Kimberley Ports after concern about vessels being brought on to rocks when returning to the boat ramp during low tides. 

Mr Hutchins said the Broome Aquatic Use Plan would ensure the safe, equitable and sustainable use of the coastline as the area’s population grows and demand increases for a variety of aquatic activities.

Updated signage will be installed to alert the community and the free Broome Derby Boating Guide has been updated to reflect the changes.

For a copy visit our website or request a copy by contacting DoT on 13 11 56.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

Western Australians may soon see more classic cars on our roads, with the McGowan Government introducing a new scheme to encourage car enthusiasts to hit the road in their hot rods more often.

Owners of street rods and vehicles manufactured prior to 1990 will soon have access to a scheme designed to encourage and enable car enthusiasts to license and use their 'occasional-use vehicles'.

Read full media statement.

Boating at Kalbarri is safer following the completion of maintenance dredging to widen the channel and restore safe navigational depths at the mouth of Murchison River.

Department of Transport (DoT) Director Coastal Facilities Donna West said the work, which started in January, included dredging of the land back wharf and boat pens which had not been undertaken for nearly a decade.

“More regular dredging of the entrance, last completed in 2018, ensures continued safe access for recreational and commercial fishing craft through the waterway and local users identified the need for the extended campaign to ensure the continued safe operation of the facility,” Ms West said.

“The $1,250,000 project involved the dredging of approximately 40,000 cubic metres of sediment over a period of 29 weeks resulting in the restoration of safe navigational depths, allowing better access to the river for commercial and leisure vessels.

“Part of the dredged material was used to nourish the popular Chinaman’s Beach helping improve the amenity of the beach.”

Ms West said the value of the work to the boating community had been demonstrated during the campaign with the DoT contractors onsite assisting in the rescue of two people after their vessel capsized as they navigated the entrance.
 
Drones were used during the project, providing environmental monitoring and progress updates.
 
Monitoring of channel depth at the mouth of the Murchison River is undertaken regularly and dredging planned accordingly, if required.

For more information about the project or DoT's maintenance dredging program throughout Western Australia visit our website.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au