The flood-damaged bridge on WA’s only sealed road to the north of the state could take more than a year to repair, the emergency services minister says.

January 11, 2023

A West Australian bridge destroyed by once-in-a-century flooding could take more than a year to rebuild, the state’s emergency services minister says.

The roadway over the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley region is the state’s only sealed roadway to the north.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said there was significant damage to the Great Northern Highway and bridge at Fitzroy Crossing.

Engineers and divers are expected to start inspecting the structure in the coming days to determine what can be salvaged and how much work will be required before the transport link can reopen.

“That will give us an indication of how many months or indeed years to build that bridge back up again,” Mr Dawson told reporters on Tuesday.

“Early indications are that the work will take a significant amount of time.”

He also said it was unlikely to start until after the wet season ends.

State authorities are investigating reopening an old flood crossing across the river bed as an alternative while repairs are made, and are talking to the Australian Defence Force about building a temporary bridge.

In the meantime, road trains with freight for Kununurra and the Northern Territory have been diverted from southern WA in South Australia to travel up the Stuart Highway through central Australia.

A barge is also transporting essential goods from Port Hedland to Broome, with authorities previously saying an airlift and boats may be the only way to reach some communities with fresh produce until damaged roads are repaired.

Record major flooding continues downstream from Fitzroy Crossing at Willare, where the waterway peaked at 10.6 metres early on Monday.

Minor flooding also continues from Fitzroy Crossing to Noonkanbah but the Bureau of Meteorology reports the water level is falling rapidly.

It comes as the disaster relief operation hits full swing in the Fitzroy River catchment area, where many people remain isolated by floodwaters and damaged roads.

More than nine tonnes of food and 10 boxes of medical supplies have already been flown into flood-ravaged Fitzroy Crossing as more planes join the airlift.

“This is a massive operation under way to get essential supplies into that community and its surrounds,” WA Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm told reporters.

He said the airstrip was now dry enough to land larger aircraft and it would significantly increase the state emergency services’s ability to resupply the town of about 1200 and surrounding communities.

“I want to reassure the people in the Kimberley region we are bringing a significant amount of food into the region to ensure we have adequate supplies,” he said.

Authorities, with assistance from the Australian Defence Force, have also started the damage assessment and clean-up operation in the areas they can access.

It’s hoped some people will be able to start returning to their homes but many areas remain inaccessible and others have no drinking water or power.

“This has been an unprecedented situation for WA. It’s the worst flood of its kind in our history,” Mr Dawson said.

“It is challenging and not something we’ve had to deal with before to this extent.”