Cable Beach vehicle access restricted, as foreshore revamp frustrates Broome locals
Stage one of works at Cable Beach, 2,100km north of Perth, was recently completed and the Shire of Broome's main redevelopment is now getting underway.
The 22-kilometre-long beach is one of Broome's premier tourist attractions and is famous for its four-wheel drive access.
Crowds sprawl across the sand in deck chairs and cars every night to watch the sun set, but stage two of the redevelopment has seen vehicle access to the northern stretch of the beach cut and its main car parks closed.
The disruption has left residents frustrated and nearby businesses scrambling to relocate.
Once complete, the redevelopment will feature improved public spaces coupled with better beach access and protection for the coast.
Stage one of the development targeted the precinct's southern end, where Premier Roger Cook unveiled a new basketball court and skate park last week.
Stage two, targeting the remaining areas, includes a community plaza, water park and amphitheatre.
But Broome residents face a challenging trade-off, as the works are not expected to be complete until mid-to-late 2026.
For years, food trucks have set up shop in an area near the beach each now impacted by the development.
The space has been designated as overflow parking, while access to the main car park is closed.
Food van owners Petris Torres and Somjit Onvimon said trying to find somewhere else to trade had been tough.
"It's attacking my business so bad," Ms Onvimon said.
"We tried to ask them (the shire) about which spot, 'Can we go here and can we go there?' They keep saying no and no.
Many vans have resorted to trading from the Broome Turf Club car park at Gantheaume Point to the south, but there is less foot traffic and many customers have said it is too far.
"We did less than half of our normal earnings … and it's not like less than half is still good," Mr Torres said.
"It's very easy to identify the problems — where the energy needs to go is finding the solutions."
The sentiment has been echoed by other vendors, who are pleased about the development but believe it could have been managed better.
A community petition calling for a temporary access ramp to the northern stretch of the beach is circulating online and has garnered more than 1,000 signatures.
Dan Healy, who signed the petition, said he was "very excited" about the development but not being able to drive onto the beach had impacted his family's lifestyle.
"I think it will be great once it's finished," he said.
"But I haven't really seen any justification as to why [vehicle access] was removed.
"It's part of the reason we live in Broome — for freedom of access to the amazing environment and all the beautiful beaches."
Vehicles are still permitted to access a stretch of sand on Gantheaume Beach further south, but this smaller space is already becoming overrun.
The Shire of Broome has extended vehicle access at Gantheaume Beach by an additional 500 metres, however some beach goers are frustrated by how busy it has become.
Shire of Broome deputy president Desiree Male said it was a no pain, no gain situation, and asked locals and tourists to be patient.
"There's always going to be disruptions when you have major infrastructure projects like these," she said.
"As a local born and bred here, I would access that beach with my dogs, so I'm going to miss it.
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