Opinion: Shire 2022-23 rates to fund exciting Broome projects

Published on 13 July 2022

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By Harold Tracey

After a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions impacting our town’s residents, businesses and the Shire itself, the 2022-23 Financial Year promises to be an exciting one for Broome.

Despite the pandemic not yet being over and it impacting us all in one way or another, the Shire of Broome has done everything in its power over the last 12 months to make our town a better place to live, work and visit.

A number of major capital works projects reached conclusion in 2021-22, providing our community with even more inviting public spaces to enjoy.

Stage Two of the Chinatown Revitalisation Project was officially opened by WA Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan in November 2021.

The $29.3 million project, completed over two stages and funded by the Shire and the State Government, has rejuvenated Broome’s town centre for the greater good of our community.

We also celebrated more improvements at the Town Beach precinct over the last 12 months, with the official opening of the new Jetty a very well-attended event.

Our community has taken to the new jetty and it is fantastic to see this final puzzle piece of another big investment, $30 million, from the Shire and State Government.

The Shire also unveiled new artwork at Town Beach to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Broome Air Raid.

Other milestone projects that were completed in 2021-22 include the reconstruction of Streeter’s Jetty, installation of lighting at the Pump Track and the upgraded indoor courts at BRAC.

Looking ahead to the next 12 months, your rates will be utilised to further more important projects for our town.

The detailed design phase for both the Cable Beach Foreshore Redevelopment and Regional Resource Recovery Park (RRRP) are well underway, meaning these two critical projects can proceed to the next stage in 2022-23.

After redeveloping Chinatown and Town Beach, the Cable Beach foreshore is the next precinct that requires a refresh.

This will be a game-changer for our town and provide our world-class natural asset with the surrounding amenities that it deserves.

Meanwhile, a new RRRP will allow the Shire to plan our town’s waste needs for long into the future – and do so in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way

Finally, I’d like to say thank you to the Shire staff and my fellow Councillors for their hard work over the last 12 months and efforts in preparing our financial plan for 2022-23.

Harold Tracey is the Shire of Broome president

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