Published on Friday, 28 October 2022 at 7:00:34 AM
Image: Derby Port
The Shire of Derby West/Kimberley is currently inviting stakeholders to have their say on the draft Derby Port Masterplan, which was endorsed by Council at its Meeting on 27 October 2022 for the purposes of stakeholder consultation.
Shire President Geoff Haerewa encouraged stakeholders to have their say in the future of the Derby Port.
“The Shire has a very unique role to play at the Derby Port, being the only local government in WA that operates a sea port,” Cr Haerewa said.
It holds the head lease with the WA State Government – overseen by the Kimberley Ports Authority – an arrangement which has been in place since 1998 and will run until 2040.
The Shire has undertaken numerous studies in the past on how best this port facility can service the district, both socially, and economically, and the Shire wishes now to revisit the port’s operations to make sure it provides a benefit to the district for the next almost 20 years.
The masterplan is intended to assist in guiding the port’s strategic direction and operations to 2040, and potentially beyond that time.
The timeline set by Council is to have the masterplan finalised and endorsed in time for consideration as part of the Shire’s 2023/24 budget, so by June 2023.
To begin the process, a Derby Port Stakeholders Forum has been scheduled for 1pm-4pm on Tuesday 8 Nov 2022, in the Derby Council Chambers, which can also be attended remotely via Teams. If you would like to attend in person or virtually please RSVP to Sarah Smith sarah.smith@sdwk.wa.gov.au or call 9191 0999.
We are keen for everyone to be able to have prior access to the draft of the masterplan, so a copy of it is available on the Shire’s web page here.
The Derby Port already provides value to the district, and the main reasons the Shire still keeps it open is to provide an opportunity for community access to the water; retain the port businesses and the employment created; and provide the opportunity for future and expanded economic development.
The port has much more capacity than is currently being utilised, therefore, to date, the ratepayers have been underwriting the port in the expectation of future ‘economic dividends’ resulting.
The Shire is keen to take advantage of the collective knowledge and ideas that sits with our stakeholders, which will ensure that the masterplan can be improved, finalised, adopted, and converted to actions so that the best possible future for the Derby Port, and the district of the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley, can result.
We encourage anyone that is interested, to review the draft document and provide your feedback.
Comments need to be submitted by 28 February 2023, following which the masterplan will be reviewed for submission to Council for its eventual approval. Further community input may be sought from stakeholders through direct liaison, as the document is reviewed for presentation to Council.
Please lodge your submissions via email to sdwk@sdwk.wa.gov.au or by posting them directly to Shire of Derby/West Kimberley at Post Office Box 94, Derby WA 6728.
For questions about the masterplan:
Neil Hartley, Director Strategic Business
Shire of Derby/West Kimberley
M: 0417942794
Neil.Hartley@sdwk.wa.gov.au
Mr Hartley will be unavailable between 30 December 2022 and 26 January 2023 inclusive. During that time email your question to sdwk@sdwk.wa.gov.au and an alternative officer will provide a response.
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