Building resilience in the north

• New Fitzroy River Bridge completed with unprecedented speed
• Economic and skill development in the region - a once-in-a-generation opportunity
• Follow-up opportunities through a new, dual-lane bridge to replace Brooking Channel Bridge

The new Fitzroy River Bridge opened to traffic on 10 December 2023, six months ahead of schedule. This was less than one year after catastrophic flooding from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie devastated the region and destroyed the old bridge.

Through early and extensive engagement in collaboration with the Fitzroy Bridge Alliance, we recognised the project was a once-in-a-generation chance to develop skills and new economic opportunities.

More than 250 local Aboriginal people worked on the project providing almost a quarter of the total hours worked. Aboriginal owned businesses provided goods and services totalling $34 million. For those who live and work in Fitzroy Crossing and the wider Fitzroy Valley, the project delivered extensive training opportunities and upskilling. More than 100 construction white cards were issued along with 27 traffic control tickets - leading to the establishment of several new local businesses, providing construction and hospitality services.

The speed at which the project was completed is unprecedented in Western Australia, with a new bridge span being launched on average every four days. The new Fitzroy River Bridge, just east of Fitzroy Crossing townsite, is six times stronger and has twice the number of steel and concrete piles driven twice as deep into the riverbed. It is also significantly longer and has a lane in each direction.

Crossing townsite, is six times stronger and has twice the number of steel and concrete piles driven twice as deep into the riverbed. It is also significantly longer and has a lane in each direction.

Building on momentum created by the project, in March 2024 the State Government announced a new resilience program for the Kimberley region, including investment in several initiatives and projects that will boost supply chains and support the region to better respond to emergencies.

A key pillar of the new program is replacing the singlelane Brooking Channel Bridge on Great Northern Highway, just outside Fitzroy Crossing. Construction began in May 2024, with the old bridge demolished in June.

Replacing this bridge with a dual-lane bridge will add to the region's supply chain resilience, enhance road safety and supply ongoing employment and extensive training opportunities for locals in the Fitzroy Valley region. Completion is expected before the next wet season.

We have been working alongside the Shire of Derby - West Kimberley to repair and upgrade community access roads in the Fitzroy River Valley. In 2023, some roads to communities were repaired and upgraded with additional work planned during 2024.

This work allowed emergency housing to be installed and engagement of a local Aboriginal crew to repair some of the remote community roads. Repair works will continue in 2024 with support from the shire and local Aboriginal contractors.