Environs Kimberley welcomes the withdrawal of the Cook government’s Department of Transport proposal for boat ramps and car parks at Entrance Point beach from assessment by the EPA (details here). The conservation group is also calling on the Cook government to improve the condition and safety of existing boat ramps.

“The proposal for boat ramps and a giant car park, priced at $77 million in 2020, on one of the most unique beaches in Broome would’ve had a devastating impact on the coast at Entrance Point,” said Environs Kimberley Executive Director Martin Pritchard.

“The beach is unique, bookended by sandstone cliffs where families have come to fish, swim and recreate for generations, it would’ve been covered in more than 10 metres of rock and concrete and a monstrous 12-metre-high break wall in front of it would’ve changed the ocean view forever.

Over a thousand locals signed a petition to the Legislative Council calling on the Cook government to reject the proposal.

Entrance Point Beach is full of sea life as well as 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. There’s also a rare rock formation that has archaeological significance that would’ve been destroyed by the proposal.”

The $77 million price tag is now out of date and the increase in costs including inflation would have pushed that beyond the $100 million mark in our view.

“The cost for this proposal will have spiralled and spending over $100 million on boat launching and a bigger car park seems incredibly excessive given the low amount of money spent on protecting the environment in the Kimberley not to mention the social issues in town including the housing crisis.”

“We’re calling on the Cook government to improve the conditions and safety of existing boat ramps. It’s also crucial to provide clear information, particularly for inexperienced boat owners, about where and how to launch and retrieve boats safely. Broome locals who’ve been boating all their lives tell us that education is key.”

Listen to Goolarri Radio with presenter Sandy Dann talking to EK Director Martin Pritchard

Photo: Entrance Point at sunset - would be covered in concrete and turned into a car park – Damian Kelly

The Broome peninsula has a magnificent coastline.

Stretching back through geological time, the Broome sandstone harbours 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints with profound meaning to traditional custodians. Then there are the 2,000-year-old human ones. Cultural treasures that feature in ancient stories are embedded in the rock and coastline. Registered Aboriginal heritage sites abound along the coast, middens attesting to the food riches sustained over millennia.

The reefs, with more than 40 species of coral, are gems of colour, shape and size, home to Clownfish, octopuses and anemones. Stand at Entrance Point at the right time and you can see Humpback Whales steaming past, Snubfin Dolphins hunting the Roebuck Deeps and, around the corner at Simpson's Beach, endangered sawfish skim for food and schools of salmon swim for their lives along the shore.

Recent photographs of previously undocumented animals (undoubtedly known to First Nations people), such as an unusual crab and poisonous anemone, show how little we know and how rich this tropical coastline is. During a recent visit to Reddell Beach (remember the marina planned for it?) with a marine biologist, we saw a Leopard Ray shoot off from our feet, a turtle pop its head up and birds dive-bomb fish balls – “It's so good to see this ecosystem is healthy; down south they're trashed,” was the comment.

With such a rich natural and cultural history, wouldn't we be protecting it? 'No' appears to be the answer from the state government, with its support for the plan to build an industrial floating jetty that would cut through the popular, rich reef of Entrance Point.

Just around the corner, plans for a unique Broome beach, bookended by sandstone headlands, are to cover it in 10 metres of concrete. In front, where we can now see Gourdon Bay across the turquoise waters of Roebuck Bay, would rise a 12-metre rock wall to serve as a breakwater. The estimated costs to taxpayers three years ago - $77 million. Inflation and a tradie shortage make it more than $100 million now. The purpose - to allow tinnies a few extra hours in the day to launch and for inexperienced boaties to bring in vessels when they haven't checked the weather and tides and find they're in trouble.

As locals born and bred here keep saying, if you can't launch and retrieve a boat safely now, you shouldn't be in the ocean without an experienced hand with an understanding of tides and wind around Broome. Instead of destroying one of Broome's most beautiful recreational beaches full of marine life and geological treasures, a memorial site for loved past residents of Broome, for $100 million, let's spend it on looking after Country and people.

You can help protect Entrance Point Reef by sending a message to Premier Roger Cook and Minister for Ports David Michael here.

Photos of Entrance Point Reef life: Sharmaine Donnelly. Photo of Broome locals protest: Damian Kelly.