Leading logistics provider Centurion is transporting vital supplies by road and barge to Fitzroy Crossing and surrounding communities in East Kimberley as major road access to the region remains impassable from record-breaking flooding.
Damage to the Fitzroy River bridge, the only sealed road linking Broome with the rest of the Kimberley and Northern Territory, will require extensive repairs which will take considerable time to undertake once the wet season is over.
Three fully loaded B-double trucks transporting groceries left Perth last Tuesday via South Australia and the Northern Territory, adding more than 3000km each way to the journey.
Additionally, Centurion worked with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and customers Coles Group and Woolworths Supermarkets over the weekend to mobilise its emergency barge service to deliver essential items to affected communities.
The standby service is activated from Dampier and used to transport trailers into Broome in the West Kimberley if the town finds itself suffering from extended isolation due to floodwaters.
Centurion loaded five fully stocked trailers onto the barge which will provide crucial food deliveries for local Coles and Woolworths supermarkets in Broome, Derby and surrounding areas, ensuring ongoing supply of much needed groceries.
Supported by the Department of Fire & Emergency Services, the barge departed Dampier on Sunday, and will arrive in Broome on Wednesday.
Centurion CEO Justin Cardaci said the company was doing everything it could to support affected communities.
“We’re in constant contact with Main Roads through relationships that were established when the rail line between WA and the eastern states was washed out last year,” Mr Cardaci said.
“We came together quickly to ensure vital food supplies got through, proving that industry and Government can work together at times like these to ensure communities are looked after and get the supplies they need.”
It will be weeks before the region’s major highways are safe to re-open and damage to road infrastructure will take some time to repair.
Mr Cardaci said the massive and complex logistical exercise will go on for some time.
“There is a surprising and devastating amount of water in the area, and we’re seeing the benefits of the forward planning we had in place to be able to quickly move supplies to the region.
“Whether it’s by road or sea, our priority is ensuring we get what’s needed to the area, and we’ll continue operating frequent alternate routes to keep the shelves stocked,” he said.
