Temporary changes at Cable Beach due to Stage B1 construction works

Published on 12 February 2024

Stage A1 of the Walmanyjun Cable Beach Foreshore Redevelopment is well underway, with car park and drainage works behind the Broome Surf Club expected to be completed next month. 

This paves the way for Stage B1 construction works are due to commence in late March and will mostly take place around the Surf Club.

The work will include the installation of Stage 1 elements, including:

• Replacing the existing ramp and beach stairs near the Surf Club to make them safer and more accessible.
• Installing a new lookout.
• Laying the basketball court.
• Constructing the skate park.
• Improving the trailhead into Minyirr Park.
• Reprofiling the sand dunes to their natural state to mitigate erosion.
• Landscaping the car park behind the surf club and installing new lighting.
• Replacing the beach access stairs near Zanders.

How long will Stage B1 take?

Stage B1 Works will commnce in April and are expected to be completed by early December, 2024.

Every effort will be made to reopen the new beach stairs before the Stage B1 works are completed in December.

Beach access restrictions

• Pedestrian access between the Surf Club and Zanders will be maintained. However, there will be no public beach access from the Surf Club during the ramp and stair works.
• Beach access via the stairs in front of Zanders will also be closed.
• As a result, the other stairs approximately 150m north of Zanders (towards the vehicle ramp) will be the primary point of beach access during construction.

Disability Access to Cable Beach

West Coast Water Safety will provide a buggy service from the ACROD parking spaces adjacent to Zanders. to and from the beach for people with mobility issues during beach patrol times (more details to come). 

The service can also be used to access the Beach Wheelchair, which can be booked in advance.

What does this mean for dogs on Cable Beach?

• Existing laws prohibit dogs on- or off-lead along the swimming area of Cable Beach, which extends north from the Surf Club to the vehicle ramp/rocks.
• Dogs will not be allowed on to Cable Beach between the Surf Club and Vehicle Access Ramp during the works.  
• People wishing to take dogs south of the Surf Club can do so via the access tracks in front of Murray Road (Divers Tavern), De Marchi Road and Banu Avenue, and from Gantheaume Beach.
• Dogs will still be allowed north of the north access stairs and Vehicle Access Ramp. The first kilometre north of the rocks is a lead-only area.

Zanders playground

The playground near Zanders has been temporarily dismantled for the works and will soon be temporarily reinstalled somewhere on the lawn area to the north.

The public toilet next to Zanders will remain open with access via the east side of the pathway. 

What about car parking?

Car parking at Zanders and along Cable Beach Road will be unaffected during these works, and we will be reopening some of the car parking behind the Surf Club.

Construction timing

The timing of the Stage B1 works was dependent on securing the necessary grant funding, and a suitable contractor through a tender process - CMA Contracting was appointed as the preferred contractor in December, with the project being delivered with a combination of grant funding, Shire reserves, and borrowings including $3.85 million from Preparing Australian Communities, approximately $3.1 million from the Building Better Regions fund, approximately $2.1 million from Local Roads and Community Infrastructure, and $1 million from LotteryWest.

The Shire recognises the work, which will extend through the busy dry season, will cause some disruption and apologises in advance for any inconvenience caused.

Shire of Broome president Chris Mitchell said he recognises the work, which will extend through the busy dry season, will cause some disruption and apologises in advance for any inconvenience caused.

"But as we saw with the successful revitalisation of the Town Beach and Chinatown precincts, enhancing the Cable Beach foreshore was the next natural progression and come December I am sure everyone will be very pleased with the transformation that will have taken place around the Surf Club.

“The redevelopment of the Cable Beach foreshore has been a long-standing objective of the Shire of Broome Council, and I am thrilled we have reached a stage where we will soon see the design come to life.

“We aim to keep the community informed throughout the projects progress, and provide numerous avenues for residents and stakeholders to gain insights along the way.

“The Shire thanks the public, particularly members of the Community and Stakeholder Reference Group, for their engagement in the project up to this point.”

To find out more about the Walmanyjun Cable Beach Foreshore Redevelopment Project and how it will improve natural and built amenities and transform the area into an all-season waterfront precinct for locals and visitors to enjoy, visit cablebeachredevelopment.com.au