11/2/98
Transport Minister Eric Charlton said today he supported moves to build a floating breakwater pontoon off the Broome Port Jetty.
Mr Charlton said the State Government supported the proposed facility which would give a boost to the North-West tourism industry. It is expected to cost about $600,000.
"The installation of a pontoon landing on the inside berth of the Broome jetty would provide much safer conditions for the loading and unloading of passengers and cargo," Mr Charlton said.
"Passengers would be able to alight onto a stable platform and then walk up a walkway to the jetty."
The pontoon landing will also act as a floating breakwater to counter the impact of wind-induced waves.
Mr Charlton said currently passengers and cargo had to be ferried between the jetty and shore by dinghy.
"The proposed facility would also benefit the tourist and commercial fishing industries through improved safety," he said.
Last financial year there were about 1400 small vessel visits to the jetty, representing 95 per cent of total vessel visits. Trends indicate this will increase.
There has also been increased interest in Broome by a number of major cruise shipping lines.
"The pontoon facility would also cater for luxury liners like the QEII and the Cunard liner Royal Viking Sun which arrived in Broome yesterday," Mr Charlton said.
"Cruise liners like the QEII have to stay out in deep water and cannot tie up at the jetty, while other smaller liners like the Royal Viking Sun could be forced to moor out at sea in the event of adverse weather conditions.
"In these cases the pontoon will enable the liners' transfer launches to shuttle passengers safely to and from the shore."
Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9 321 7333
