The building and construction industry makes a significant impact on employment and income in the Kimberley, contributing $123.0 million to the Region's economy in 2004/05. The Region's housing sector experienced considerable growth between 1996/97 to 1999/00. The prospect of the introduction of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) in July 2000 resulted in many building approvals being brought forward. Consequently, building activity after the tax was introduced was lower than it otherwise would have been. In 2000/01 the Kimberley's building activities contracted sharply. Building activities have since exhibited strong growth reflecting growing population and infrastructure developments.

The total value of building and construction approvals in 2004/05 was $123.0 million, representing a 27 per cent increase from 2003/04.

Residential
The number of residential dwelling approvals fluctuate from year to year, reflecting the volatile nature of the industry. In the beginning of the 10-year period, there were 248 approvals in 1995/96. Approvals peaked in number in 1997/98 at 390 before reaching a low of 219 in 2000/01. In 2004/05, there were a total of 316 residential dwelling approvals (valued at $88.8 million) in the Region compared to 260 approvals in the previous year.

Of the 316 dwelling approvals in 2004/05, 148 (47 per cent) were in the Shire of Broome, 92 (29 per cent) in Wyndham-East Kimberley, 56 (18 per cent) in Halls Creek and 20 (6 per cent) in Derby-West Kimberley. The average approval value in the Region was $ 280,877 per dwelling.

Top

Non-residential
In 2004/05, non-residential approvals were valued at $34.2 million, compared to $41.8 million in 2003/04. The Shire of Broome had the largest value of non-residential projects valued at an estimated $26.5 million accounting for over 77 per cent of the regional total.

In addition, State funding was allocated in 2006/07 for the following capital projects within the Kimberley:

Health

• $10 million to continue work on Stage 1 of the redevelopment of Broome Regional Hospital;
• $4.9 million to continue work on the redevelopment of Kununurra Hospital;
• $2 million to continue work on the development of a Multipurpose Centre in Wyndham;
• $19 million for other upgrades to health facilities across the Kimberley.

Broome Port Authority

• $1.1 million for the fender and deck upgrade at the Inner Harbour; and $400,000 for other minor works.

Top

Conservation and Land Management

• $1 million for six new conservation parks located around Kununurra (arising from the Ord Stage 2 final agreement).

Corrective Services

• $11.2 million for upgrades to the Broome Regional Prison.

Culture and Arts

• $25,000 to continue work of the Broome Performing Arts and Cultural Centre (total project cost $5 million).

Education and Training

• $1 million for additions and improvement to Kununurra District High School;
• $2.4 million for new buildings and additions to Kimberley College of TAFE, Broome campus;
• $8.5 million toward the construction of the new Fitzroy Crossing District High School (total project cost $20.5 million); and
• $6 million toward the completion of the Broome Residential College.

Police

• $1.4 million to complete work on the new police station at Bidyadanga, Dampier Peninsula and Kalumburu and $2.6 million for a police station at Warmun;
• $7.2 million to continue works on the Kimberley Police District Complex; and
• $6.9 million to continue works on the new police station at Derby.

Sport and Recreation

• $10,000 to the Broome Motocross Club for the construction of an undercover;
• $34,153 for the construction of a skate park at Derby; and
• $8,464 to the Derby Rodeo and Horse riders' Association to replace fencing.

Top

Water

• $3.1 million for work on the waste water treatment plant in Broome;
• $105,000 for sewerage upgrades in Broome;
• $125,000 for upgrades to the waste water treatment plant at Lake Argyle;
• $3.9 million for upgrades to the Wyndham Town Water Supply;
• $1.9 million to increase Borefield capacity n Broome; and
• $300,000 for Water and River Commission Depot extension and other works at the Kununurra Office.

Fire and Emergency Services

• $1.2 million for the construction of a FESA Regional Offices collocation in Derby;
• $1.5 million for building work to the FESA Emergency Service Centre at Kununurra; and
• $350,000 for the Volunteer Fire Rescue Service at the Broome Fire Station.

Industry and Resources

• $2.6 million to continue work on Stage 2 of the Ord River Irrigation Project.

Main Roads

• $5.2 million for the construction of the stage 1 to 3 of the Broome Bypass;
• $332,000 for improvements to the Broome - Cape Leveque Road;
• $3.2 million to widen and seal a section of the Derby Highway;
• $280,000 to improve information and gravel the Gibb River Road from Derby - Gibb River - Wyndham; and
• $11.2 million to construct the Dunham Deviation of the Great Northern Highway.

Horizon Power

• $2.7 million to supply power to remote communities;
• Independent Power Producer interconnections and other works at Broome ($447,000), Derby ($675,000) and Camballin/Looma ($810,000);
• $104,000 for works at the Buckley Road Substation in Broome;
• $42,000 for distribution works in the Kimberley; and
• $312,000 for works in Kununurra.

As well as:

• $5.2 million for the Broome Bypass and
• $2.7 million for the Aboriginal and Remote Communities Power Supply Project.

Source: Kimberley Economic Perspective