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Traditional owners clash with DOT over Broome development

In August, Yawuru traditional owners were given a presentation on the Department of Transport's new boating facility at the Broome Port on Roebuck Bay.

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2 min read

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Updated

By Craig Quartermaine

Source: NITV News


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The plans will see new boat ramps, car parks and access roads added to the existing facilities.

The Yawuru have been meeting with the DOT over the protection of significant sites in the Port area.

Yawuru traditional owner Neil Mackenzie spoke on behalf of his family seeking to protect those sites.

"We agreed in one sense to one plan that suited everybody," he said.

“It is a culturally sensitive area.”

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But he said the latest plans the department had presented were “inappropriate.”

"It’s condemning our culture, our way of life here in Broome,” Mr Mackenzie said.

"We can't tolerate this kind of development if it desecrates our sacred areas."

The Department of transport did not have a spokesman available but did supply NITV News with this statement:

"The DOT acknowledges that the current design raises new issues for Yawuru but notes that it also addresses many of their previous concerns in relation to:

-          The Scale of the project - The project scale has been reduced

-          The Dredging and environmental impact

-          Carpark expansion to the western side;           

-          The interruption to the stingray pathway in Roebuck Bay 

Watch: the full report above.


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