Port of Broome developments to bring hundreds of jobs to town as business bounces back from COVID hit

After experiencing more than $6 million in losses due to the global pandemic, the Port of Broome has operations back to pre-COVID levels with no signs of stopping after a series of recent developments.

The Port of Broome is the biggest deep-water access port servicing the Kimberley and supports livestock export, offshore oil and gas operations, pearling, fishing, charter boats, cruise liners and is the main fuel and container receival point for the region.

Plans for the $110 million floating jetty to be installed by the Kimberley Marine Support Base at the Port of Broome are in the final stages of design.

Kimberley Ports Authority chief executive Craig Faulkner said construction was due to begin mid-next year and be completed by the end of 2023.

“It is important to remember this is a long-term investment which will provide enough wharf infrastructure for the next 50 years,” he said.

“Once the infrastructure is constructed it will prompt other developments.”

Mr Faulkner said plans consisted of a 290m-long causeway leading to a floating wharf and onshore facilities to service the region’s growing oil and gas, agriculture and cargo industries.

“Ships had to wait for the tides and any delay is costly,” he said.

Mr Faulkner said the recent developments at the Port of Broome would create about 200 jobs, which could flow on to about 400 jobs in the wider community.

On July 1, the KPA also took on all the Kimberley commercial ports, including Wyndham, Derby and Yampi Sound.

Mr Faulkner said the Port of Broome’s major trade was offshore support to the oil and gas industry and a new Inpex Browse drilling program would drum up more business.

“Inpex have a new drilling program which will run into the wet season, which normally doesn’t happen due to possible cyclone activity,” he said.

Mr Faulkner also said cattle exports were steady about 100,000 head, smaller expedition cruise activity was growing, and petroleum and diesel imports were strong.

“Before COVID we lost $1.7 million, then a further $6.5 million during and in the aftermath, if that gives you any idea,” he said. “But things are beginning to look back to normal.”