A $110 million floating wharf facility has been given the green light for construction at the Port of Broome.
The Western Australian Government has approved the proposal for the Kimberley Marine Support Base (KMSB), which aims to position Broome as a future service hub for the oil and gas industry.
Funded by the KMSB, it will be made up of a floating wharf and associated on-shore terminal facilities.
Construction and operation of the facility aims to stimulate economic opportunities and create jobs in the Kimberly region while adding further capacity to the Port of Broome.
KMSB and the Kimberley Ports Authority will enter into a long-term commercial lease for the floating wharf facility, with Kimberly Ports to provide stevedoring services during construction and the first five years of operation.
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KSB will be required to undergo environmental approvals, project and financial agreements and a final design and commissioning plan.
The approval follows port upgrades recently undertaken at the Port for Broome, which includes a $15.3 million channel dredging project to enhance all-tide vessel access to the port.
WA Ports Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, the project is an enormous boost for the Kimberly economy and a hug job opportunity.
“KMSB estimates that construction of the facility will create more than 250 jobs, while ongoing operations could provide more than 500 permanent jobs in Broome and more than 1,500 jobs statewide,” she said.
“This paves the way for Broome to become the service and logistics hub for the growing oil and gas sector off the North West coast and for export opportunities for the emerging agricultural and resources sector projects in the hinterland – providing long-term jobs for the region.
“Local procurement and employment opportunities for local business and the community will be a priority for the project, ensuring local jobs from construction to completion.” Mining and Pastoral MLC, Kyle McGinn, said the modern facility is a critical piece of infrastructure that will position Broome for an even better future.
“I strongly believe that the State and industry should continue to capitalise on locally available skills and provide local jobs to further benefit the community,” McGinn said.
“To hear that the Kimberley Ports Authority will provide stevedoring services not only during construction but for the first five years is a just reward for what has always been a highly successful and constructive port.