Community desperate for investment welcomes $30m ‘game changer’
Community leaders in Western Australia’s northernmost town have welcomed a $30 million federal government cash splash, with hopes upgrades to Wyndham’s town site and port can “drag it into the 21st century”.
With a federal election looming, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese embarked on a whirlwind tour of the country’s north this week, stopping in the East Kimberley town of Kununurra.
While the majority of Thursday’s $200 million funding announcement was dedicated to alleviating WA’s dire housing shortage, the town of Wyndham — 3,000km north of Perth — received almost $30 million for infrastructure upgrades.
Along with $19.6 million for a new community hub and $13.2 million for a boat launching facility, the port has been given the federal seal of approval for First Point of Entry (FPOE) status.
Wyndham Port has been granted First Point of Entry status. (Supplied: Cambridge Gulf Limited)
While Wyndham port once bustled with workers from numerous industries, the town’s economic prosperity has faded in recent times, with locals calling for investment.
Cambridge Gulf Limited (CGL) operates the Wyndham port and is the town’s biggest employer, however local products such as the burgeoning cotton industry are exported from Darwin.
There are hopes FPOE status will transform the Kimberley’s ability to export produce closer to home, supercharging the local economy.
“For cotton exports they need empty containers to come in,” Mr Albanese said.
“By having customs facilities there it changes the way the Kimberley will operate in the future.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used a visit to Kununurra to announce $200 million worth of funding for WA housing and infrastructure. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)
CGL chief executive and Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley deputy president Tony Chafer said FPOE status could “unlock the port’s potential”.
“It’s a game changer. At the moment we are unable to import containers into the port,” he said.
“It will also keep trucks off our roads. And it’s about employment opportunities [as] 80 per cent of Wyndham port workers are Aboriginal.”
Tony Chafer says First Point of Entry status could unlock the Wyndham port’s potential. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)
Mr Chafer said the shire had been negotiating with the WA government for funding to implement the required FPOE infrastructure upgrades.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what the next step is,” he said.
“I’d hope we can start infrastructure upgrades this year.
“Even though we have FPOE status, that doesn’t come into effect until we have the infrastructure to deal with any biosecurity threats.”
A spokesperson for WA Ports Minister David Michael said the state government welcomed the FPOE status and “looked forward to working with federal agencies towards implementation”.
Empowering people with work
Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation (WYAC) provides programs and employment opportunities for Indigenous people in the town.
Neville D’Silva says over 200 young Indigenous people are looking for work in the Kimberley town. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)
Chief executive Neville D’Silva welcomed the funding but said local jobs being generated was paramount.
“I want the port jobs to stay in Wyndham. There are over 200 local Indigenous boys and girls that are desperate for work,” he said.
“I’m extremely happy for the people of Wyndham if it benefits the community.”
Small business owner Paul Cavanagh said investment in Wyndham’s port and town was much needed.
Small business owner Paul Cavanagh says the funding could drag Wyndham “into the 21st century”. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)
“We’re 1,000km from Darwin and from Broome. We need a working port,” he said.
“It creates opportunities for small businesses with more people working at the port. It drags you into the 21st century.”
Youth advocate Tremane Baxter-Edwards works with WYAC and said it was “an ecstatic feeling” having the prime minister in the East Kimberley.
“Jobs for young Indigenous people will have that flow-on effect socially, as well in terms of youth crime,” he said.
Tremane Baxter-Edwards hopes the Commonwealth funding will provide local jobs in Wyndham. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)
“I often say young people commit these crimes because they don’t have anything to do. There’s no investment, housing is poor.
“Putting a significant amount back [is] what we’ve lobbied for and it’s good the federal government has heard our calls.”
