• Key military assets including Curtin Airbase with a 3.1km runway.
• 42% (by value) of resource production in the Kimberley.

The Shire of Derby West Kimberley is home to two major defence assets, Curtin Airbase and Yampi Sound training ground.   

The Curtin Airbase was established in the 1950’s with construction commencing in 1983 with a view to improve the defence of Australia’s northern approaches.  Curtin is one of three “bare bases” operated by the Royal Australian Air Force.  Covering some 25,000 hectares the base was re-activated in 2016 as part of Exercise Northern Shield.  The base includes a 3.1km runway, giving it the capacity to operate heavy military and freight aircraft.  

The Yampi Sound training area is also in the Shire and is located 130km by road from Derby.  Covering come some 5600km², the site was acquired in 1978 and has had a mixed history.  In 2005 the then Federal Defence Minister, Senator Robert Hill, said there was a global shortage of suitable training areas for mechanised units and that Yampi Sound was seen as providing a third option across the north of Australia to compliment Bradshaw in the Northern Territory and Shoalwater Bay in Queensland.

The Shire also has significant port and aviation infrastructure as outlined below.  These Yampi Sound ports could provide support for aquatic military exercises and logistics.  

The Port of Derby is tidal and services the aquaculture industry and islands.  Upgrade proposals have been put forward for this facility, including a deep water (lock system) or, alternatively, a tidally filled basin with land backed wharf-side facilities which could service up to 3million tonnes per annum.  The port is at the mouth of Yampi Sound and is in close proximity to the Curtin Airbase and Yampi Training Area.  Upgrades to this port could improve the sustainability of Curtin Airbase should there be a requirement for that base to be manned on a regular basis.  

Also in the Yampi Sound are the ports of Cockatoo Island and Koolan Island.  Cockatoo Island is a deep water port protected from cyclones and can service large capacity shipping.  The runway at the nearby airstrip is 1,100m long, providing a useful link.  Koolan Island Port is a deep water port servicing the iron ore mining and export sector.  

In 2019-2020 the Shire of Derby West Kimberley region accounted for 42 percent of the value of resource production in the Kimberley with an estimated value of $320m. Also in the footprint of the Shire of Derby is the Canning Basin which boast the largest potential resource in Australia and the eighth largest in the world.