- $250,000 grant to support new concept plan and business case for revitalisation of historical Wyndham Port precinct
- Revitalisation plans to help Wyndham community take better advantage of tourism opportunities, generating jobs and improving quality of life in the town
The Cook Labor Government has committed $250,000 to assist in the development of a new concept plan and business case for the historic Wyndham Port precinct in the Kimberley.
Wyndham has been a continuously operating commercial port and the major maritime gateway to the East Kimberley region since it was gazetted in 1886.
Originally servicing the cattle industry and gold prospectors, the port now services a diversified market including cruise ships, mining, pastoral, and agricultural industries.
The port area features 23 listed heritage sites, including historic residences, the old Wyndham prison, tin-cladded shopfronts, the old Wyndham Courthouse (now used as the Wyndham Historical Society Museum) and the Wyndham Police Station.
The port precinct's revitalisation will help the town convert those assets into lasting economic benefit for the town, and improve the hospitality and tourism experience for visitors.
The project will look at the feasibility of a revitalised and expanded historical museum with a potential hospitality offering, new visitor and resident amenities including a visitor centre or meeting place for tours, development of Balanggarra Aboriginal heritage and interpretive materials, an expansion of the historical trail signage, and a refurbished historic retail space.
The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley will work with the Kimberley Development Commission, Balanaggarra Traditional Owners and local businesses and services to agree on a final concept plan for revitalisation.
In addition to an overall concept plan, the work will help identify solutions to long-standing wastewater and road logistics issues that have inhibited development at the port precinct.
The Government's investment in the historic port precinct complements the Shire's efforts to improve recreational amenity along the foreshore area, as well as strong interest in achieving expanded First Port of Entry status for the port.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"Wyndham has such a great story to tell, starting with deep Aboriginal heritage, through a colourful early history of port development, on up to the present day when it remains a vital logistics hub for the East Kimberley.
"We're very keen to see that historic precinct reinvigorated as a place of vibrant community engagement, knowledge sharing, heritage and business activity.
"The planning work supported through this funding will lay a strong foundation for further public and private investment in this fascinating piece of WA's heritage."
As stated by Ports Minister David Michael:
"While the port precinct was a thriving commercial precinct through the 2000s, workforce shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic and infrastructure challenges have affected the town significantly - leading to a decline in business activity.
"A rejuvenated port precinct will help locals benefit more from that existing flow of visitors, as well as improving the quality of life of local residents.
"The Cook Government is proud to help the Wyndham community share its heritage with the many visitors to the region, in a way that supports local business development."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"The tourism opportunity for Wyndham is enormous. The town is a key attraction already for people visiting the Kimberley, including the iconic Bastion lookout and spectacular nearby waterfalls.
"This funding will help boost the quality of the port precinct from a tourism point of view, while helping local businesses and the Wyndham community retain more lasting benefits from those visitor numbers."
