This is such good news, given the fact that the Broome Airport should of been moved out of town years ago as part of the original sale obligations. At a recent 2040 Visions of Broome Workshop, conducted by the Broome Shire, the airport was identified as needing to be moved because it takes up enormous amount of land that could be used for residential, that it literately cuts the town in half and the increase air traffic noise with the helicopter onshore base has chased our budding film industry away.
The number one outcome as outlined the the Broome Shire Strategic Plan clearly states
that the relocation of the airport is a major priority of the Shire. A new site for the relocation
of the airport has been identified, 13.5 kms out of town for some years now.
The private owners have made no move to relocate instead they were seeking a massive extension.
In October 1990, the Australian Property Group (APG), an Australian Federal Government enterprise, sought expressions of interest for the purchase of the Broome Airport. Airport Engineering Services (AES) on behalf of Wallace Emery & Associates (WEA), the operating company, submitted a final tender in February 1991.
AES were the successful tenderer and final purchase arrangements were completed
for freehold title of the Broome Airport in April 1991 from the Australian Commonwealth Government, the Shire of Broome and AES by a Heads of Agreement which agreed to
certain matters relating to the relocation of the Airport outside of the existing Broome townsite which was mutually agreed by the Shire, AES and the Minister for Lands, subject to the State granting to AES freehold title to land on which the new airport is to
be constructed.
The Shire and AES also agreed that it is necessary for AES to sub divide and sell or develop parts of the airport land. AES were to raise the monies required for the design and construction of the new airport location.
In 2000, Broome International Airport Holdings (BIAH) were proposing to relocate the Broome Airport from its existing location in the town to a new site approximately 12km north-east, to enable development of the Broome township to the north.
Well AES have sold considerable lands for residential and developed a huge commercial precinct over 20 years and still this company has failed to fulfill its obligations to relocate the airport. So pleased that the Woodside's decision has stopped these greedy people in their tracks.
Also, given the fact that the airport in its current location has serious issues relating to raising sea levels, salt water intrusion and erosion issues I would like to suggest they relocate as soon as possible because in all reality the airport is sinking.
Plans for a new $10-$20 million international airport terminal in Broome have been shelved in the wake of Woodside's shock decision to abandon the Kimberley gas hub.
The facility, which was just months away from being built, would have seen a significant increase in commercial flights servicing the Kimberley and was designed to open up the region to the international market.
Airport chief executive Nick Belyea said yesterday that the project was no longer viable.
"It will be shelved now because it just won't work," he said. "We need James Price Point to make it work."