Concerns Grow Over Floating Jetty’s Proximity to 130-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Tracks on Yinarra Reef

Image credit supplied: Yinarra reef floating jetty construction, 2025.

Jirr-ngin-ngan (Broome), Western Australia – Members of the Djukun Nation and Broome locals have raised serious concerns about the construction of the floating jetty on Yinarra Reef, known as ‘Kimberley Marine Support Base’ (KMSB). Construction of the jetty, which is being built to boost tourism and support extractive industries such as oil and gas, involves hammering pylons into the fragile reef system. Some of these pylons have been installed within just a meter of ancient dinosaur tracks believed to have been left 130 million years ago.

During a recent visit to the reef, Djukun members and Broome locals observed firsthand the close proximity of the towering pylons to the ancient tracks. This proximity and apparent lack of accommodation for the ancient tracks is causing widespread alarm amongst community members about the impact of jetty construction on the historically significant site.

In addition to the concerns about pylons disrupting ancient dinosaur tracks, the installation of the floating jetty is also disturbing ancient Aboriginal heritage listed shell middens. Shell middens are significant cultural sites that contain the remains of shellfish, and other materials left in the area over generations. These ancient shell middens provide valuable insight into traditional food sources, environmental changes, and cultural practices. The jetty works are likely to impact shell middens, evidence of continuous Aboriginal occupation for thousands of years, located within the construction area.

Broome local Sharm Donnelly, who has studied the reef for the past seven years, expressed her dismay at the lack of caution in preserving the site. She told Djukun Nation:

"It’s deeply saddening to see how close the pylons are to these irreplaceable tracks. This reef has been here for millions of years, and we should be doing everything we can to protect it. Now, not only are the dinosaur footprints at risk, but significant Aboriginal heritage sites have also been disturbed."

Local Yawuru and Wajarri person, Ngaire Pigram, says that they: “feel a grief similar to that of losing a family member when witnessing the destruction of the ancient reef, rocks, and shell midden sites - and is deeply disappointed that that this has all be allowed to go ahead”. “This place is so culturally significant to so many generations of Broome families, and the feeling of seeing this desecration is just heartbreaking”.

The tracks, which are imprinted in the National Heritage-listed Broome Sandstone, are an important cultural heritage and scientific site. Dinosaur footprints in this region are among the most significant in the world, providing overwhelming evidence of multiple dinosaur species that once roamed this ancient landscape.

Image credit supplied: Yinarra reef Dinosaur track, 2025.

Broome resident Di Bennett, who has been conducting a citizen science project for the last eight years in Broome area, warned that the true impact of the development is still unknown. Di stated "The dinosaur tracks and the Broome Sandstone are 130 million years old. They are also National Heritage listed for their cultural and scientific significance, our tracks are famous worldwide yet many people are very flippant about damaging them. We don't know how long the ones that are currently visible have been exposed but possibly thousands of years. Yes they are being weathered naturally but that [generally] happens at geological pace, very slowly...’ The exception to this is Gantheaume Point where due to its geography erosion and breaking off of rocks seems to be happening quicker than the rest of surrounding areas”. “Currently some tracks are being artificially damaged by people walking over them and constantly cleaning sand out to get better photos for social media, Di went on to say “…When the sandstone is damaged as shown in the photos it starts to weather more quickly. Nature doesn't patch things up, the damage will increase…” She also expresses that “it was just luck” that more damage to the ancient tracks was not done during the piling and that “we The KMSB didn't minimise the damage on purpose it was just luck, and we don't know what has been damaged in the layers underneath".

Djukun Traditional Owner Yisah Bin Omar voiced her disappointment at the lack of consultation with the Djukun people, who have a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the reef and its ancient footprints. She said:

"Our Djukun cultural heritage is embedded in these tracks, just as they are embedded in the reef. Yet, we were not consulted or given a voice in the decision-making process. These footprints are not just marks on a rock – they are living cultural heritage and history, and their destruction has the potential to erase part of who we are. The disturbance of ancient shell middens and the concrete poured over the shell middens is another loss that cannot be undone."

Image credit supplied: Ancient shell middens within the area, Yisah Bin Omar, Yinarra, 2025.

The floating jetty development has highlighted broader concerns about the protection of Broome’s cultural and environmental heritage. With ongoing industrial expansion in the region, local communities are calling for greater transparency, inclusion, and accountability in decision-making processes that impact sites of cultural and ecological significance.

In response to these concerns, the Djukun Nation contacted the Perth based Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) to seek advice on the protection of the Yinarra Reef and surrounds. Legal support and advice on whether a stop-work order could be issued. However, at the time of publishing this article, no response has been received from the EDO.

For now, the fate of the ancient tracks and cultural sites hangs in the balance as construction continues. The Djukun Nation and concerned Broome residents remain committed to advocating for the protection of Yinarra Reef and ensuring that the voices of Traditional Owners are heard in shaping the future of their Country.

To find out more about the ancient dinosaur tracks on Djukun Country visit the Dinosaur Coast Management website.