Thomson Geer has advised the Kimberley Ports Authority on all aspects of the construction and long term concession leases and licences it has granted to Kimberley Marine Support Base Pty Ltd in relation to the landmark Kimberley Marine Support Base project in the Port of Broome. Our team was led by Partner, Paul Gribble. He was supported by Special Counsel, Jeremy Thom and Nadine Frost and Senior Associate, Joshua Chan.
The project will see the construction of an innovative, privately constructed and funded $110 million floating wharf together with significant onshore terminal and logistics support infrastructure occupying over 27 hectares of port land and seabed.
The project construction phase is aimed for completion in 2022 and the new wharf and support facilities will then be privately operated on an open access basis under a 50 year lease concession. The Kimberley Ports Authority will provide stevedoring services to the project during the construction phase and during the first 5 years of the new wharf’s operation.
This is a very significant project for the Kimberley region. When announcing the WA State Government’s project approval, the Minister for Regional Development and Ports, the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan said:
“This paves the way for Broome to become the service and logistics hub for the growing oil and gas sector off the North West coast and for export opportunities for the emerging agricultural and resources sector projects in the hinterland – providing long-term jobs for the region.“