Kimberley leaders welcome moves to reopen region

Published on 27 May 2020

The Kimberley Regional Group (KRG) warmly welcomed the announcement by the Premier that the State is making an application to the Commonwealth to lift the Biosecurity Zone in Western Australia, with the expectation that will come into effect on June 5.

This means that parts of the Kimberley will be opened only a week after the relaxation of other regional borders in Western Australia.

The KRG acknowledged the likely exception of remote Aboriginal communities and supported direct consultation with those communities about their expectations in relation to access.

"The relief of businesses in the Kimberley is obvious," KRG chair Chris Mitchell said.

"We acknowledge the Premier and the WA Government’s work, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Government, during the COVID-19 crisis and the timely lifting of the Biosecurity determination for the region."

The Kimberley is highly reliant on a relatively short dry season tourism industry and it is hoped that Western Australians will chose to come north to the Kimberley this southern winter.

"Many of our regional businesses can now come out of hibernation and get ready to greet visitors," Shire of Derby West Kimberley president Geoff Haerewa said.

"It is not just accommodation and restaurants that will benefit, petrol stations along the Gibb River Road can now look forward to the resumption of trade."

Locals will also benefit from the relaxation of the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

"This is going to be very beneficial for our people who travel to Perth for medical treatment as it will significantly reduce timeframes," Shire of Halls Creek president Malcolm Edwards said.

"Remote communities will continue to be protected and they will be able to work with the State Government about when and how restrictions will be lifted for their communities."

It is likely that the entire Kimberley economy will benefit from the reopening of the region.

"This is not just about tourism, a whole range of businesses will benefit including the agricultural and pastoral sectors," Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley president David Menzel said.

"Whilst vigilance will continue to be necessary, this is a major step forward in the recovery process."

The KRG has worked tirelessly to represent the best interests for the region, initially calling for strong isolation measures then working with other key stakeholders to develop a COVIDSafe strategy for reopening.

"We have worked together to develop a plan and will direct our energy into ensuring that there is a COVIDSafe reopening of the Kimberley," Shire of Broome president Harold Tracey said.

"It will be fantastic to share our wonderful region with visitors, but equally to see families united again across the State."