Government of Western Australia

Department of Transport

Media Statement
140 William Street, Perth, WA 6000 GPO Box C102, Perth, WA 6839 T (08) 6551 6000 www.transport.wa.gov.au

Attention: News Editor/Chief of Staff August 26, 2013 For immediate release Revised boating facility footprint and concept released The Broome Boating Facility (BBF) project can progress to the design and construction phase following todays release of a revised footprint and concept for the development. Department of Transport (DoT) Project Manager James Holder said exhaustive site investigations, sediment sampling data and the $50 million budget all had a major influence on the final concept. Proceeding with the original footprint and concept was not feasible as construction was estimated to cost more than three times the original $35 million funding allocation, mainly due to the size of the breakwaters and suitable rock needing to be shipped to site, Mr Holder said. Additionally, sediment sampling confirmed significant costs and difficulties in establishing and maintaining a navigable channel. The revised footprint and concept makes best use of the deepest water at West Roebuck Bay reducing the size and cost of the breakwater required and minimises the need for ongoing dredging. Features of the new concept include: sheltering breakwater, wide launching ramp with floating jetties and car parking for boat trailers. While the facility is expected to be available for more than 80 per cent of the time each year, during large spring tides access to the facility may be affected for up to five daylight hours per day. The BBF is a Royalties for Regions funded project and received an additional $15 million in the recent State Budget. Mr Holder said the local BBF Community Reference Group would continue to be consulted through the design and construction phase and there would be ongoing discussions with Yawuru representatives given the implications of the revised footprint.
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140 William Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000 Tel: (08) 6551 6000 Fax: (08) 6551 6001 www.transport.wa.gov.au ABN 27 285 643 255 wa.gov.au

Its envisaged detailed design for the final footprint and concept will begin shortly with construction commencing from 2014/15 once the necessary approvals are in place, Mr Holder said. To view the revised BBF concept www.transport.wa.gov.au/broomeboatingfacility ends Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 0408 098 220 and footprint visit