A significant economic development opportunity for the Yawuru people can now commence after the Minister for Planning approved a structure plan for a new bulky retail precinct in Broome.
The bulky retail precinct, called the Broome Homemaker Centre, is an economic development opportunity contained within the 2010 Yawuru Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA).
The site for the precinct is owned by local Broome Aboriginal corporation Nyamba Buru Yawuru (NBY) and was one of the sites granted to traditional owners, the Yawuru people, through the ILUA.
The Broome Homemaker Centre will provide opportunity for significant annual returns to NBY as the native title holders, and support local jobs during the construction phase and once completed.
The McGowan Government, through the WA Recovery Plan, has committed $7 million to work with NBY to develop the precinct on about 5.4 hectares of land adjoining the Broome International Airport.
Structure planning is a preliminary stage in the planning process and the proponent must undertake further detailed planning at each subsequent stage of the process.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
“As Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, I have been determined to ensure that public investment in infrastructure not only maximises public amenity, but, where able, maximises the economic development opportunities for Aboriginal Western Australians.
“I believe the development of a bulky goods retail precinct will generate broader economic benefits to the Kimberley.
“It will bring new and larger business ventures to the region that could rely on locally purchased goods, previously only accessible through Perth or other areas of the State.
“The project provides economic stimulus for the region, supporting the region’s COVID-19 recovery.”
