Broome boat plan axed
Broome's recreational fishing community is reeling at Treasurer Troy Buswell's decision to pull the plug on the long-awaited $50 million boating project earmarked for Roebuck Bay.
The town has been lobbying the State Government for decades for better and safer facilities to cope with the growing number of boats launching from ramps and beaches.
The Broome Boating Facility Community Reference Group was set up four years ago at the request of former transport minister Simon O'Brien to engage with the development of the proposed boating facilities. Its chairman Jeff Cooper said the decision was extremely disappointing.
He said the peak season had between 3000 and 4000 registered boats launching in Broome.
"To see this project abolished is gut-wrenching after the four years the community has worked with the Department of Transport and key stakeholders to get it to the finishing line," he said.
"The do-nothing option is unacceptable and over the coming weeks key stakeholders will get together to formulate a plan that we will take to government."
Mr Buswell said it was understandable people in Broome would be upset by the decision.
