A 2022 message from Shire President Harold Tracey

Published on 12 January 2022

Harold-Shinju.jpg

Full steam ahead for 2022 - what an exciting year we have ahead of us!

With the Christmas festivities and New Year celebrations done and dusted for another year, it is time to sink our teeth into the projects that are going to make 2022 a prosperous year for Broome, as we strive to build A Future, for Everyone.

So, what is on the agenda for 2022…well, where do I start?

The Broome Boating Facility project remains a priority for the Shire, with the Environmental Protection Authority investigating the environmental factors of the project. In the interim, we have remaining State Government funds to use with investigations around potential green space implementation and public art interpretation. We are also continuing to advocate for additional funding, to make the project a reality.

The Cable Beach Foreshore Redevelopment is now in its next project phase, with consultants Josh Byrne & Associates currently undertaking the detailed design phase. Our Community and Stakeholder Reference Group met twice in December and another opportunity for public input will be available in the first half of 2022. I look forward to hearing the community’s feedback on this exciting project.

The Regional Resource Recovery Park project is now in detailed design phase also, after Talis were appointed as the preferred consultants in October 2021. Talis have a great deal of knowledge in the field of waste and asset management, and have hit the ground running with this stage of the project.

The Broome Surf Life Saving Club Redevelopment tender was awarded to local Broome construction company, Colin Wilkinson Developments Pty Ltd, at last month’s Council meeting - just in time for implementation for the start of 2022. Supporting local is paramount in our service delivery and we take great pride in supporting Broome businesses, where possible.

The Shire has also supported the Club with $371,454 worth of funding and in-kind project management contributions to the value of $220,884, while we have helped the Club secure a self-supporting loan to ensure this project proceeds. With such an iconic location overlooking Cable Beach, it is a unique project.

In the youth space, a new skatepark has been announced for Broome, the $1.5 million project is being co-funded by the Shire and Lotterywest. The Shire received $1 million of funding secured from a LotteryWest grant in August 2021 and the remaining $500,000 will be contributed by the Shire.

The existing facility on Cable Beach Road East will be demolished and a new regional-level skatepark will be constructed on the same site, this year. Award-winning skatepark specialists CONVIC have been selected as the preferred contractor to undertake the work.

The 80th anniversary of the Broome Air Raid is this year, on 3 March 2022. The history of this event will be commemorated, as the next generation learns what occurred all those years ago and how it has shaped Broome. Further information will come out closer to the date, but it will be a milestone event for all the community to participate in.

Finishing on an update regarding juvenile justice in the Kimberley and Broome, earlier this month Police Minister Paul Papalia announced 12 extra police officers for the Kimberley. It is great to see the Shire’s lobbying for more police resourcing in our region coming to fruition - this is a step in the right direction and we hope it to see positive outcomes around this issue, not only in the present but also into the future.

This is just the beginning of what’s in story for Broome in 2022 and I personally cannot wait to see what else this year has to bring for our town and community.

Harold Tracey

Shire of Broome president

Tagged as: