FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PUNMU TO PARNNGURR ROAD COMMENCES

The dream to build and open a new and shorter road link between Punmu and Cotton Creek has taken some small but significant steps toward becoming reality with the recent announcement of funding approval for a feasibility study into the project.

Western Desert Puntukurnuparna Aboriginal Corporation and the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation have received funding through the Department of Industry and Resources’ Indigenous Economic Support Scheme and, with Newcrest Mining Limited, have established the Niminjarra Project Team to oversee the feasibility study. The proposed road, dubbed “The Niminjarra Highway”, would link the Punmu and Parnngurr communities, and would reduce the current 7.5 hour 350-kilometre journey to a two-hour journey of about 125 kilometres.

“This road has long been sought by Western Desert communities to assist in developing economic and cultural links between communities in the Western Desert,” said Mr Andrew Heath, Chief Executive of WDPAC. Newcrest, in conjunction with WDPAC and WDLAC, local community leaders, and the Shire of East Pilbara, has undertaken the initial steps to scope the project, including organising an expedition in mid-2005 to chart a possible new vehicle route between the two communities.

The feasibility study will build on the initial scoping work to examine:

✔ Detailed project scope, budget and timeline;

✔ The required heritage and environmental approvals;

✔ Funding sources; and

✔ Clarification of the land tenure details for the road and road reserve.

The feasibility study is due to be completed by the end of June.

An important component of the Project Team’s investigation will be a closer study of the terrain, to be undertaken in May. Assisting the team will be Mr John King, State Manager for Cardno BSD, one of the nation’s leading engineering firms. Mr King has extensive experience in developing roads throughout WA, elsewhere in Australia, and overseas. Another important contributor to the project is Dr Gae Synnott, an award-winning Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, and an expert in community consultation processes. The next edition of Kujungkarrini will report on the team’s investigation. For further information, you’re invited to contact the Niminjarra Project Team – Andrew Heath (WDPAC) phone, 9172 3299, Clinton Wolfe (WDLAC), Leon Van Erp (Newcrest) 0409 080 228, or Gae Synnott 0419 198 547.