PORT of Broome is handling barge shipments of food supplies for Kimberley communities while the region’s highway is closed.
Severe flooding in Western Australia has severed the Great Northern Highway. The highway connects the communities to Perth.
Kimberley Ports Authority said trailers of food arrived at the Port of Broome slipway on Bhagwan Marine barge Seawind 1.
The barge left Dampier on Sunday (8 January) and arrived in Broome on Wednesday (11 January) for unloading.
KPA acting CEO Luke Westlake said the port authority installed a depth post and five-tonne anchor to help the barge master unload at the slipway.
“The arrival of the barge was tide dependent and unloading was finalised in the early evening after the addition of cement blocks and dirt to attain the correct angle for the barge ramp,” he said.
Road transport company Centurion Transport is to distribute three trailers of food to Broome supermarkets.
And CMC marine is to barge two trailers of food and fuel to the township of Derby. Delivery is expected on Sunday (15 January).
“Kimberley Ports Authority is assisting Mount Gibson Iron with fuel and freight deliveries to Koolan Island while the Great Northern Highway is closed between Roebuck Roadhouse and Willare,” Mr Westlake said.
KPA said its harbourmaster has flown over nearby King Sound to check for debris.
The harbourmaster closed Port of Derby to recreational boating until 14 January to keep Derby residents safe.
