Broome-Cape Leveque Road project on track for 2021

• Work to seal last red dirt section of Broome-Cape Leveque Road progresses
• Road to create tourism, employment and educational opportunities for Kimberley
• Aboriginal employment and contracts exceeding original project targets
• Nearly two-thirds of total project work hours on site completed by Aboriginal people 

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti recently visited the $65 million upgrade of Broome-Cape Leveque Road in Lombadina, which is creating 290 jobs.

The project primarily involves sealing the last remaining section of unsealed road between Broome and One Arm Point - a 90 kilometre section of red dirt road currently prone to closures in wet weather.

A further 13.6 kilometres of narrow sealed road between Broome Highway and Manari Road will also be reconstructed and widened.

The project is running on time with all necessary heritage clearances obtained, clearing works complete and more than half of earthworks undertaken.

The focus for the remainder of the year is on completing the bulk earthworks, while road pavement construction and sealing is planned to start after the next wet season. 

Following the success of recent Kimberley and Pilbara road projects, the upgrade of Broome-Cape Leveque Road is directly managed by Main Roads Western Australia and achieving good results for local employment.

The project is exceeding targets set for Aboriginal employment and participation, with 27 of the 58 contracts entered into so far awarded to Aboriginal businesses.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"I had the opportunity to talk with local people who will benefit from this project. I hear good news stories of how the sealing of this road will provide access to essential services and provide opportunities for schooling and jobs.

"There is heavy emphasis on employing local people. So far, 64 per cent of total labour hours worked on site have been by Aboriginal people of which 88 per cent have been local Aboriginal people.

"We have worked collaboratively with local businesses and training organisations to ensure we are providing opportunities for local people to get involved in this project.

"This project is, so far, leading the way in Aboriginal employment and participation in the Transport portfolio.

"The current upgrade is effectively the third stage of improving this vital link to provide all weather access to the Dampier Peninsula and surrounding communities to improve safety, travel reliability and transport costs.

Minister's office - 6552 5500