Shire of Derby/West Kimberley Council has been allocated $750,000 from the State Government’s Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS) to undertake a major upgrade of the main recreational boat ramp and dedicated rescue ramp at Derby.
The funding was allocated as part of the $2.2 million RBFS program managed by the Department of Transport and will assist in ensuring that the Derby boat ramp remains a reliable and safe resource for the community.
The upgrades will be conducted in line with feedback from the community that was gathered back in May through a stakeholder consultation forum.
Shire President, Peter McCumstie expressed the Council’s gratitude to Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Ports and Road Safety, David Michael, for his support and recognition of the importance of local boating infrastructure.
“We are incredibly thankful to Minister Michael and the Cook Government for this significant funding allocation,” he said.
“The Derby boat ramp upgrade is a vital project for our community, enhancing safety and accessibility both recreationally for our residents and for rescue purposes for the volunteers at Derby Volunteer Marine Rescue.”
President McCumstie said the Shire was committed to maintaining and improving local infrastructure, including ports and boating facilities.
As part of this process, the Shire will conduct ongoing assessments to ensure the boat ramp will provide for both commercial and recreational requirements and can be well maintained following the upgrade for the foreseeable future, he said.
