Published on Thursday, 28 August 2025 at 1:44:56 PM
Building roads and futures in the Fitzroy Valley
The Orphans Roads Project in the Fitzroy Valley is a roadworks program creating opportunities, training pathways and real community impact across the region.
Delivered in collaboration between the Shire and Main Roads WA, the project is focused on getting local workers hands-on experience to gain on the ground experience following on from their qualifications achieved in the classroom. The project has already seen significant upgrades completed on key roads in the West Kimberley network, including Jarlmadangah Access road, Ngurtuwarta road and Walmajarri Hwy (Yakanarra road). Crews have widened and strengthened roads to make them safer for the many residents and travellers who rely on them daily.
For the workers, each day starts not in a classroom, but a pre-start meeting around a campfire, before heading out on site. With a strong sense of camaraderie, the crew are proud to be delivering for their community.
Acting Works Supervisor Marty Stevens leads the small team and is passionate about supporting the workers through any challenges they face.
It’s really good, everyone’s been loving it,” he said. “This is the start of work for them. You’ve got to work and contribute here, but everyone kicks in and works together to get it done day in and day out.”
Despite the challenges of the remote West Kimberley region, the success of the Orphans Roads Project is a testament to the commitment of local crews and the power of community-driven projects achieving 86% on ground local indigenous employment.
“It’s a small crew for how much has been done,” Mr Stevens said. “But the beauty of it is everyone knows what they’re doing. Everyone’s comfortable with each other – no shame in anything. It’s much better being tight-knit. You support each other more.”
Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Director Infrastructure, Wayne Neate oversees the project and is passionate about ensuring its success.
“This isn’t just about delivering safer roads, it’s about building capacity in our communities. Employing locals who for some I’ve known for many years – to see them out here, working hard on their own country and growing their skills, it just makes sense,” he said.
These programs are more than simple roads projects, they are lifelines for the many residents of remote Aboriginal communities in the West Kimberley. The program came at a timely manner for a Yakanarra woman who had to be driven via the Walmajarri Hwy to Fitzroy Crossing before being flown to Broome for treatment, after she was bitten by a baby king brown snake in Yakanarra community,
Marty Stevens has seen the road over a long period of time and says that without the works being done, it would have been very hard to get the woman to Fitzroy in time for treatment, even if at all.
“It’s already saved one life. Imagine what we could do if we had more programs like this,” said Marty.
The Orphans Roads Project has delivered safer roads, stronger skills and a deep sense of pride in community but most importantly, it has shown that when opportunities are there, the outcomes speak for themselves.
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