Ferry service well short of making up for damaged bridge

A new ferry service capable of ­taking up to six light vehicles a day across the Fitzroy River in ­Western Australia’s flood-­ravaged Kimberley has been criticised as “pathetic”.

A new passenger ferry in operation near the damaged Great Northern Highway bridge over the Fitzroy River at Fitzroy Crossing, WA. Picture: Nathan Dyer

A new ferry service capable of ­taking up to six light vehicles a day across the Fitzroy River in ­Western Australia’s flood-­ravaged Kimberley has been criticised as “pathetic”.

More than 11 weeks since the devastating flood that destroyed the only bridge across the Fitzroy River, cutting off the only road between the Kimberley’s east and west, the state government last week finally launched a ferry service to help ease the logistic bottleneck.

But Liberal MP Neil Thomson, who represents the Mining & Pastoral region that includes the Kimberley, said the service fell well short of what was needed.

“It‘s a pathetic attempt to try to solve the problem,” Mr Thomson said.

“We’re now almost three months since the disaster, and quite frankly the response has just not been good enough.”

Mr Thomson said the government could have done more to explore other temporary crossing options such as pontoon bridges, Bailey bridges or larger barges.

“All of those costs money, and all of those require the will of the government and that is what has been missing,” he said.

The damaged Great Northern Highway bridge over the Fitzroy River at Fitzroy Crossing, WA. Picture: Nathan Dyer

“It shows a lack of focus and a lack of consideration for those very vulnerable businesses that have suffered enough under Covid and which are now suffering again in the East Kimberley.”

Access to the ferry service is restricted to essential travel only by four-wheel-drives that meet size and weight restrictions.

A passenger ferry service, opened almost two weeks ago, is transporting more than 400 people a day across the river.

The government is also ­working on a low-level crossing next to the old Fitzroy River Crossing, which will be suitable for 4WDs and adventure tour buses and which Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has estimated could be open in two to three weeks.

Ms Saffioti said Mr Thomson’s criticisms showed a lack of ­understanding about the complexity of repair works in Fitzroy Crossing.

“We are trying to deliver new roads and bridge crossings through the wet season,” Ms Saffioti said. “Anyone who knows anything about the Kimberley knows this is challenging.

“The procurement of the Fitzroy Bridge Alliance has been achieved in record time for a project of such size and complexity.”

Studies into a potential Bailey bridge found that it was not viable due to the extent of the damage to the existing bridge.

Patrick Green, a Bunuba man and Indigenous elder who lives in Fitzroy Crossing, said the pace of progress was concerning.

“It’s a slow process,” Mr Green said. “I know Rome wasn’t built in the day, but different people need to be given the different contracts to make it happen. While we are in the hands of the bureaucrats, it will take forever.”

The WA government last week announced a $1m subsidy for Kimberley tourism operators, ­allowing them to offer half-price services for the upcoming tourist season.

Ms Saffioti expects a low-level river crossing suitable for caravans and freight vehicles will be in place in time for the dry season.

The government has also introduced freight subsidies aimed at easing shipping costs that had soared as a result of the bridge disruption.