BROOME LOCALS 'DEVASTATED' OVER CORAL DESTRUCTION FOR FLOATING JETTY
Drill rig at Entrance Point Reef. Credit: Supplied, Environs Kimberley.
BY GERARD MAZZA
Smashed reef at Entrance Point. Credit: Supplied, Environs Kimberley.
Community members in Rubibi/Broome have expressed distress after discovering parts of a local reef damaged by preliminary work on a floating jetty development.
Photographs provided to Ngaarda Media show red coral at the beloved Entrance Point Reef smashed and a drilling machine nearby.
Environmental group Environs Kimberley says the drilling is in preparation for the construction of a privately-owned industrial jetty.
Yawuru and Wajarri person Ngaire Pigram, who was born and raised in Rubibi, said they grew up exploring the reef.
“You could enjoy this massive ecosystem and fragile ecosystem that was thriving there,” they said.
“Hundreds if not thousands of marine creatures live there, even if you can’t see them. They’re all working together in this network to create this life.”
Ngaire Pigram said they were “devastating” to find work taking place at the reef.
“I knew this was going to happen,” they said. “I thought I had more time, I thought we all had more time to have a say about it.”
The state government revealed in Parliament this week that the floating jetty development had not yet received final approvals from the Port of Broome, despite an announcement construction had begun.
The government has previously said the project will bring jobs and development to Broome.
Environs Kimberley Director of Strategy Martin Pritchard said the project will largely service the oil and gas industry.
“We’re very worried that this is adding to the industrialisation of Broome,” he said.
“Obviously a lot of people don’t want to see that happening here because it’s not an industrial town.
“It’s a laidback town where people come here for holidays and live here for the lifestyle, and this kind of industry is just completely opposite to what people want.
Environs Kimberley is calling on the Minister for Ports David Michael to halt the drilling and ensure a proper environmental assessment takes places.
Mr Pritchard suggested anyone with concerns should contact Mr Michael’s office.
It’s really important that decision-makers get to hear about this now.”
Member for Kimberley Divine D’Anna said in September the floating jetty project would bring jobs and economic activity to Broome.
"I'm also encouraged that the proponents have engaged with the local Yawuru People to ensure strong outcomes for Indigenous employment and economic empowerment, through the construction and operation of the facility,” she said.