Blue Zoo Document - Regional Development Australia

PILBARA REGIONAL PROFILE
Pilbara Roadmap 2011 – 2016
Part 2
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Contents
1.
BACKGROUND ............................................................................................ 4
What is Regional Development Australia? .........................................................................................4
About Regional Development Australia - Pilbara (RDAP) ...................................................................4
2.
RDAP: THE COMMITTEE.............................................................................. 5
3.
ABOUT THE PILBARA ROADMAP................................................................. 7
4.
THE PILBARA REGION – AN OVERVIEW ....................................................... 8
Location and Population: ....................................................................................................................8
Economy: ............................................................................................................................................8
5.
THE PILBARA REGIONAL ECONOMY .......................................................... 11
Employment Levels by Industry ........................................................................................................12
6.
THE PILBARA REGIONAL SOCIAL PROFILE.................................................. 13
Education institutions .......................................................................................................................13
Early Childhood Services ...................................................................................................................13
7.
THE PILBARA REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT .................................................. 14
8.
REGIONAL ISSUES ANDCHALLENGES ......................................................... 15
Land Availability ...............................................................................................................................15
Accommodation................................................................................................................................16
Health ...............................................................................................................................................16
Education ..........................................................................................................................................17
Social.................................................................................................................................................17
Cultural Tourism & Economic Development .....................................................................................18
Sport & Recreation ...........................................................................................................................18
Environment .....................................................................................................................................18
Essential Infrastructure.....................................................................................................................19
Utilities..............................................................................................................................................19
Transport ..........................................................................................................................................19
Communication.................................................................................................................................20
1. BACKGROUND
What is Regional Development Australia?
Regional Development Australia is an Australian Government initiative bringing together a national network
consisting of 55 committees, designed to strengthen regional communities through a partnership between
Australian, State, Territory and Local Governments.
The committees comprise local leaders who volunteer their time to work with government, business and
community groups to deliver better services to their regions by identifying and addressing the economic,
social and environmental issues affecting them.
About Regional Development Australia - Pilbara (RDAP)
RDAP is a non-profit community based organisation formed as part of the Federal Government’s Regional
Development Australia initiative.
As an incorporated body in accordance with the Associations Incorporations Act 1987 we receive our core
funding from the Australian Government. To support our operations, RDAP has a memorandum of
understanding between the Commonwealth and Western Australian government.
It is a requirement by the Australian Government under RDAP’s funding agreement to produce
documentation summarising the economic, social, environmental and other significant aspects of the region
in order to assist in the determination of priorities and how RDAP will address each. RDAP has met this
requirement through development of a package of informative documents, the Pilbara Roadmap.
2. RDAP: THE COMMITTEE
Selected for their leadership and dedication to the community the RDA Pilbara Committee consists of 7
strong voices from the Pilbara Region:
Collene Longmore
Chairperson
Kelly Howlett
Deputy Chair
Crispulo Olegario
Committee Member
Kelvin Portland
Committee Member
Annette Eyre
Committee Member
Stan Martin
Committee Member
Veronica
Rodenberg
Committee Member
Figure 1: RDAP Committee members
Collene Longmore
Collene is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the
Shire of Roebourne and was previously the CEO of
the Pilbara Area Consultative Committee (now
RDAP).
Collene has been a resident in the Pilbara since
1995, residing in South Hedland for several years
and Karratha since 2001. Collene is passionate
about the development of the Pilbara as a viable
and sustainable region. Collene is also committed
to social justice issues and worked pro-bono as a
migration agent for several years and has enjoyed
a
relationship
with
many
community
organisations; including the Hedland Women’s
Refuge Inc, Regional Domestic Violence Council,
Pilbara Advisory Forum on Disabilities and
Karratha Youth Housing Project. Collene holds
qualifications in Psychology and Business.
Kelly Howlett
Since coming to live in Hedland, Kelly has
demonstrated leadership in raising awareness of
the profile of the natural and social environment
in Hedland and the Pilbara. Kelly has been
actively involved in the local community, through
various service and sporting groups. In 2009, Kelly
was elected as the Mayor of the Town of Port
Hedland. As the second female and youngest ever
Mayor of the Town, Kelly has enabled the
development of a thorough understanding of the
needs and day-to-day issues facing the people of
the Pilbara.
Kelly is the founder of the local Care for Hedland
Environmental Association which through onground conservation and town pride efforts, as
well as ongoing dialogue with various
stakeholders, has seen the Association become an
effective and successful vehicle by which natural
and social environmental issues can be raised and
worked through in a positive and constructive
manner
Crispulo Olegario
Cris is currently the Community and Business
Development Coordinator with the Yamatji
Marlpa
Aboriginal
Corporation
(YMAC)
responsible for representing the Traditional
Ownders of the Pilbara, Murchison and Gascoyne
regions of Western Australia.
In addition to his role with YMAC, Cris is also is the
founder and CEO of the Aboriginal Communities
Charitable Organisation Inc, a non-profit
organization working to narrow the food gap
among the Indigenous and poorest poor in the
mainstream community.
Cris has an extensive and diverse background,
having working for 28 years in various
management positions in marketing, project
management, market and production research
and develop and sales management with several
international businesses before moving to
Australia. Cris has a Bachelor of Arts (Eco) and is a
member of the Australian Institute of
Management and the Australian Marketing
Institute.
Stan Martin
Stan has been a Pilbara resident for over 35 years
with his wife, two children and three
grandchildren. He is the owner of local residential
and commercial building business and has spent
10 years servicing remote Aboriginal communities
including Strelley, Punmu and Well 31 as well as
pastoralists at outlying stations in the region.
Stan is active within the community, and is
currently a Councillor with the Town of Port
Hedland, the Pilbara Regional Council, the Port
Hedland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
a range of other bodies.
Veronica Rodenberg
Kelvin Portland
Kelvin has lived and worked in Newman for the
last 30 years, with his wife and two children.
Working for BHP Billiton as a Fitter at the
Whaleback mine, Kelvin has been actively
involved with the Newman community. He has
supported numerous sporting clubs and been a
life member of the Newman Volunteer Fire
Brigade and Director of the Pilbara Mining Unions.
Annette Eyre
Annette grew up in regional Western Australia
and has lived with her husband and children in the
Pilbara for more than 30 years.
As a small
business owner, Annette was a passionate and
actively involved with her community, establishing
the Tom Price Tourist Centre and supporting
numerous sporting and community groups.
Currently semi-retired, Annette now lives in
Onslow and represents local residents for
Chevron’s Wheatstone Project and BHP Billitons
Macedon Project. Annette also does volunteer
work for local accommodation houses and is the
Chair of the local Parents and Citizens Association
and Visitor Centre.
Veronica is a resident of the Shire of Roebourne
and since December 2006 has been the Chief
Executive Officer of Yaandina in Roebourne - the
largest provider of child, family and aged care
services in the Pilbara. In addition to her role with
RDA Pilbara, Veronica also sits on the Board of the
WA Council of Social Services.
Married and a mother of two, with a working
background in high level corporate management,
communications,
community
development,
capacity building and business development skills
and she has extensive experience in broadcasting
and
community
service
3. ABOUT THE PILBARA ROADMAP
The Pilbara Roadmap package takes readers on a journey through the unique landscapes, economy and
culture of the region, before detailing RDAP’s vision and direction for the region from 2011 to 2016. As a key
reference document for the Federal Government, the Roadmap will inform and guide investment in the
region through the $1.1 Billion Regional Development Australia Fund.
The planning documents will set objectives for the identified priorities which will drive the delivery of
initiatives to achieve the objectives in line with RADP’s mission during this time period.
Our mission
To develop and strengthen Pilbara communities
through leadership, collaboration and the provision
of responsive and innovative services.
The following figure illustrates the order and purpose of each of the four components of the Pilbara
Roadmap, and the notable resources which have informed RDAP about progress and issues that the region
faces, which were considered in the development of the Pilbara Roadmap.
Figure 2: Pilbara Roadmap components and informative sources
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
Page 7 of 21
4. THE PILBARA REGION – AN OVERVIEW
Location and Population:
The Pilbara region covers an area of 502,000km2
and is comprised of the Shires of Ashburton,
Roebourne, East Pilbara and the Town of Port
Hedland with a population by 41,001. It stretches
from the western coastline of WA all the way to
the Northern Territory border in the east.
The major towns of Port and South Hedland,
Karratha, Newman, Paraburdoo and Tom Price
accommodate approximately 70% of the
population. The remainder of the population is in
smaller towns, in remote pastoral and mining
locations, or in Aboriginal communities.
The population profile of the region consists of
Indigenous people, and those associated with the
resources sector (minerals, oil and gas),
government services, small business and the
pastoral industry.
The
Indigenous
population of the Pilbara
is 5,632 or 13.7% of the
total population for the
region.
This
is
significantly higher than
for Western Australia as a
whole where Indigenous
people make up 2.3% of
the total population.
Economy:
The Pilbara encompasses iron ore ranges, tin,
manganese and gold deposits, coastal solar salt
fields and the North West Shelf oil and gas fields.
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
The Region it is primarily known for the iron ore
and petroleum products and is responsible for
over 95% and 99% respectively of Western
Australia’s exports of these commodities.
Major economic activities in the Pilbara include
mining of iron ore and base metals, and the
extraction of oil, gas and salt. There is a small
manufacturing and service industry as well as
tourism, pastoralism and fishing activities.
The Pilbara’s value of iron ore and petroleum
products, including liquefied natural gas exports,
amounted to some $22 billion in 2005-06, which
was about 25% of Australia’s total mineral and
petroleum product exports, or around 14.5% of its
total merchandise exports in that same year. In
2009 the value of the Pilbara’s iron ore export
alone was in excess of $30 billion. The Pilbara
region is responsible for an estimated 16% of
Australia’s output.
The Pilbara also has a significant output of copper
(about 80% of the $1 billion annual industry) and
gold (15% of the $4 billion industry). Other
important exports are salt, manganese, precious
and semi-precious gems and construction
materials.
The Pilbara is the leading resources sector region
in WA, accounting for more than $45.5 billion in
production value in 2009, contributing to
approximately 75% of the WA’s total merchandise
export income:
47% of the value of minerals production
($28 billion)
Page 8 of 21
28% of the value of offshore petroleum
production ($16.8 billion)
The Pilbara accounts for almost two thirds of the
State’s commodity exports by value, which is
almost 20% of Australia’s total value of
merchandise exports (DFAT, 2008). That’s twenty
percent of national goods exports made possible
by 0.2% of the national population.
Given the ongoing mine, port and other heavy
infrastructure expansion and the long-term
contracts, the forecast is for continued growth in
resource exports from the Pilbara for the
foreseeable future. Without investment in critical
community infrastructure and services that
enhance livability, the capacity of the Region to
continue to respond to this demand will be
compromised and productivity will decline
.
Shire of East Pilbara
The Shire of East Pilbara was formed by an amalgamation of the
Shires of Marble Bar and Nullagine in 1972. Upon the
amalgamation, the Shire became the largest Shire in the world
comprising an area of over 379,571 km² (larger than the State of
Victoria).
The total population of the Shire is estimated to be 10,500. The
major industries in the Shire are mining, pastoral and tourism. The
main town sites are Newman, Marble Bar and Nullagine.
The Shire’s Administration Centre is located in Newman. The Shire
area also contains numerous Aboriginal communities including
Jigalong, Punmu and Parngurr. Aboriginal communities are also
located in Nullagine (Irrungadi community) and Marble Bar
(Pipunya and Goodabinya communities).
Town of Port Hedland
While the Town of Port Hedland is the smallest in area of the four
Pilbara LGAs at 11,844 km², it has two of the main residential
centres in the Region, Port Hedland and South Hedland.
The population of the Town is estimated to be 19,500 people. The
remainder live on pastoral stations located throughout the area.
Both Port and South Hedland provide a range of community
services, including cultural, recreation and shopping facilities.
The main industries are iron ore processing and export, salt
production from extensive evaporation ponds for export, shipping
of manganese and other minerals and livestock production (mainly
cattle). The Port is one of the world's largest in tonnage terms, with
over 170 million tonnes of product worth more than $3 billion
shipped each year.
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
Page 9 of 21
Shire of Ashburton
The Shire of Ashburton, at nearly half the size of Victoria
(105,647km²), boasts some of the world’s largest open cut mines,
pastoral leases and cattle stations and a thriving fishing industry all
set against a beautiful and ancient arid tropical landscape.
Residents of the Shire are employed in a variety of industries,
including oil, gas, mining, cattle, fishing and tourism. The Shire also
has an established salt industry, based at Onslow. The supporting
infrastructure also provides employment and career opportunities.
The majority of the area of the Shire of Ashburton is divided into
pastoral properties. Spread amongst these sprawling pastoral
stations are the towns of Onslow, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo and
Tom Price. The majority of the Shire’s population live in these four
towns.
A number of Aboriginal communities such as Bellary and Wakathuni
reside in the Shire. The Shire’s population is estimated to be 6,000.
Tom Price, located in the eastern sector, is the largest town and the
Shire Administration Centre. Paraburdoo is 80km south of Tom
Price and has the area’s principal airport. Pannawonica is 330km
northwest and Onslow 380km west of Tom Price. The distances
between the towns by road are far in excess of these figures.
Shire of Roebourne
The Shire of Roebourne controls an area of approximately
15,197km2, has its offices in the township of Karratha, a modern
town that is recognised as one of the major centres and arguably the
capital of the Pilbara.
The Shire contains another 5 town sites. These are the industry based
settlements at Dampier and Wickham, the historic towns of
Roebourne and Cossack, and the coastal retreat of Point Samson. All
of these town sites are located within a 50 km radius. The Shire’s
resident population is estimated to be 19,355 people.
The population of the Shire of Roebourne is growing steadily due to
the increasing employment opportunities in the Shire primarily due
to resource projects. There is a wide range of education, social,
shopping and recreation services available.
The major industries in the Shire include iron ore export, oil, natural
gas, salt, nickel, fishing and tourism. Lying offshore from the Shire is
the famous Dampier Archipelago. The Dampier Archipelago
comprises 42 islands, islets and rocks lying within a 45km radius from
the town of Dampier and Point Samson. Many of the islands
resemble the rugged Burrup Peninsula, with coastal cliffs and steepsided rock piles separated by valleys, sand plains and pristine
beaches.
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
Page 10 of 21
5. THE PILBARA REGIONAL ECONOMY
The Pilbara is often described as ‘the engine room
of the nation’ because of its significant
contribution to the national wealth. Its immense
reserves of natural resources provide massive
direct export sales and also fuel a thriving
economy of support services, but the Pilbara is
much more than mineral resources. Tourism,
sheep and cattle, fishing and aquaculture all figure
prominently in the economy of the region,
providing a diversity of activity - and a range of
business opportunities.
The Pilbara's economy is dominated by the mining
and petroleum industries and is considered to be
the State's premier mining region. In 2004/05, the
Pilbara contributed over 62% of the value of
Western Australia's mineral and petroleum
production. The Department of Local Government
and Regional Development estimates the Pilbara
Gross Regional Product was $4.8 billion in
2004/05, a 23.8% increase compared to the
previous year.
Tourism has contributed $172.0 million to the
Pilbara economy. On average, 303,800 overnight
visitors came to the Region during 2003 and 2004.
Total agricultural production was valued at $46.0
million in 2003/04. This comprised predominantly
of livestock disposals (97% of agricultural
production) valued at $45.2 million.
The total fishing catch for the Region in 2004/05
was 3,947 tonnes and was valued at $15.3 million.
The catch was made up primarily of finfish and
prawns.
While the mineral and petroleum sectors will
continue to be the mainstay of the Pilbara’s
economy, the region is continuing to diversify and
expand its economic base with the continued
development of its tourism, retail, trade and
agricultural industries.
The production value of the Regional's mining and
petroleum industries was $20.6 billion in 2004/05,
with oil and condensate valued at $7.2 billion, iron
ore valued at $8.0 billion and gas (LNG, LPG,
Natural Gas) valued at $4.8 billion. Other minerals
extracted in the Region include salt, silver, gold,
manganese and
base metals.
Manufacturing consisting mainly of small
businesses supplying the regional market, and an
estimated sales and service income of $309.1
million in 2001/02. At that time, the
manufacturing sector employed 5.3% of the
region's workforce.
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
Page 11 of 21
Employment Levels by Industry
Industry representation across Pilbara was
relatively comparable, with the larger populous
local government areas of Roebourne(S) and Port
Hedland(T) having similar blends of industry
employment, while Ashburton(S) and East
Pilbara(S) clearly display a predominant resource
industry workforce.
The
following
diagram
illustrates
employments in each of the four shires:
The following figure depicts employment levels by
occupation:
the
Figure 4: Employment levels by occupation
In the Pilbara, across all three Census periods
(1996, 2001 & 2006) Technicians and Trades
Workers had the highest employment levels by
occupation. Machinery Operators and Drivers had
the second highest across all three Census
periods. This is consistent with the high
employment levels in the Mining and Construction
industries.
Figure 3: Pilbara employment numbers
Port Hedland shows proportionately higher
employment levels in the Health Care and Social
Assistance industry than all other shires within the
Pilbara, consistently over the 10 years to 2006.
Roebourne shows similar industry employment
distribution to those seen in Port Hedland (T),
both showing recent sharp increases in
Construction industry employment.
The Retail Trade and Transport, Postal and
Warehousing industries were at comparatively
lower employment levels in Ashburton and East
Pilbara than the other local government areas
within the Pilbara during that period.
The Mining industry saw an increase since 1996,
from 5,546 employed to 7,672 in 2006. The
Construction industry saw a similar increase from
2,080 employed in 1996 to 3,190 employed in
2006.
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
Page 12 of 21
6. THE PILBARA REGIONAL SOCIAL PROFILE
Education institutions
Education opportunities in the Pilbara range from
early learning to post secondary. Both
government and non-government schools are
present in major towns and the Port Hedland
School of the Air provides opportunities to study
by correspondence for primary and secondary
students in areas too remote to attend regular
schools. Pilbara TAFE delivers vocational
education and training (VET), which are nationally
accredited across campuses in the Pilbara
including Karratha, South Hedland, Newman, Tom
Price and Onslow. Pilbara TAFE also serves a
number of remote Aboriginal communities in
Marble Bar, Nullagine, Yandeyarra and
Kiwirrkurra. Pilbara TAFE is also recognised as a
centre of excellence for its work in preserving
Indigenous languages from all over Australia.
Family Day Care provide care and development
activities in the home of a licensed carer.
Playgroups provide community interaction of
children and often include parental involvement;
however the groups often are not licensed to a
limited number of places.
In 2009, Roebourne generally provided the
highest number of Early Childhood services and
places across the Pilbara, followed closely with
Port Hedland.
Other Early Years Services operate in towns across
the Pilbara region including Toy Libraries, Early
years Groups, Mothers and Babies groups.
Information on these groups is usually made
available from the Child health clinic, local library
or Women’s Centre.
Early Childhood Services
Early Childhood Services across the Pilbara can be
divided into Long Day Care, Out of School &
Vacation Care, Occasional Care, Family Day Care
and Playgroups. Long Day Care services provide
quality all day or part-time care for children of
working families and the general community.
Out of school hours care services provide care
mainly for primary aged children before and after
school and during vacation time.
Occasional care is a unique child care service that
supports families by providing flexible care for
children from birth to school age. It can be
accessed regularly or irregularly.
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
Page 13 of 21
7. THE PILBARA REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT
The Region can be separated into three distinct
geographical formations, a vast coastal plain,
breathtaking inland ranges and an arid desert
region extending into Australia's dry centre.
The Pilbara is a semi-arid region characterised by
high temperatures, low and variable rainfall and
high evaporation. Temperature ranges are
generally greater in inland districts away from the
moderating effects of onshore winds common to
the coastal districts. Between October and April,
the temperature throughout the Pilbara reaches
or exceeds 32 degrees celsius almost every day.
Some of the Pilbara's most popular natural
attractions
are
the
Karijini
and
Millstream/Chichester National Parks with
spectacular gorges and waterfalls, Marble Bar and
Cossack with their historical features and the
Dampier Archipelago for those interested in
aquatic pursuits such as fishing, diving and other
boating activities. The Region is also well known
for its heritage assets and especially for Aboriginal
rock art, of which there are spectacular examples
throughout the Pilbara. The collection on the
Burrup Peninsula is recognised as world class.
Summer season maxima of 40 degrees plus is
frequent
and extreme
conditions with
temperatures above 50 degrees are not
uncommon in inland areas. During the winter
months the average temperature falls to a very
pleasant 25 degrees celsius.
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
Page 14 of 21
8. REGIONAL ISSUES ANDCHALLENGES
Clearly recognised on the national and indeed the
international stages as the engine room‟ of
Australia for its contribution to the national
economy, the Pilbara Region is much more than a
repository of immense reserves of natural
resources and all which goes with that wealth and
development. Tourism, agriculture, fishing and
aquaculture all feature prominently in the
strengths and opportunities in the Region.
As this Plan indicates, rapid growth and
particularly the associated demand for housing
and community facilities and services is and will
continue to be a significant challenge for both
governments and the Region’s communities. The
income differences between those who are
employed in the resources sector and those who
are not also creates outcomes and imbalances
which add to housing affordability and lifestyle
pressures.
Recent recognition of the need to change the
long-standing pattern of community development
in the Pilbara by moving from a responsive to a
pro-active planning and policy-led approach is a
major breakthrough. The co-ordination task
across government requires a strong focus and
attention on delivering the necessary outcomes as
a central and collaborative commitment.
Commodity prices and fluctuations in the
international economy, coupled with commercial
confidentiality of planning and timing of major
resource projects in the Pilbara will continue to
make government planning and delivery of
infrastructure and services challenging. The socalled “normalisation‟ objectives of the Pilbara
Cities blueprint, while widely endorsed, will create
population and demand changes in the
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
Pilbara towns and planning for these impacts will
be further complicated by the workforce
variances as many projects move from
construction to operation. As has been noted, the
realisation of the blueprint requires the creation
of quality regional living with modern services and
facilities which will facilitate the development of
strong local communities. Creating cities in the
Pilbara will not occur naturally in the short term. A
business as usual‟ approach will not realise the
vision – it is time for significant, strategic and
coordinated interventions across all levels of
government
Land Availability
Relatively conservative employment growth
estimates for the Pilbara forecast an additional
3,000 FTEs over the next 10 years. The Karratha
City of the North plan identifies requirement for
an additional 16,000 workers living in Karratha
alone to achieve target population of 50,000
residents. Quite aside from the challenges
associated with the long-term prospects for the
Region, the reality is that the existing level of
infrastructure provision is already insufficient to
meet current demand to a level that should be
expected in regional Western Australia. A key
element in this provision is access to sufficient,
and well located, available land for construction of
housing, commercial and light industrial purposes.
The key projects under this theme focus on fast
tracking the release of land for housing, industrial
and commercial activity, through greater
resourcing of public land development agencies.
Key priorities are:
Page 15 of 21
1. Ongoing fast-tracking release of serviced
land for residential and nonresidential
activities in all main settlements.
2. Developing a long-term strategic land
release plan and land bank so that this
problem is avoided in the future.
3. Ongoing implementation of the programs
to rationalise and revitalise town centres
through infill and mixed use development.
Accommodation
The non-mining accommodation crisis in the
Pilbara is common knowledge, not least due to
the recent Commonwealth Senate inquiry into
housing affordability (Commonwealth of Australia,
2008). Briefly:
Residential
Lower and middle income residents have been
pushed out by rental and purchase prices, high
even by the standards of the recent housing boom
(refer Table). People with skills in non-mining
occupations are unable to move to, or stay in, the
Region because of accommodation costs.
Moreover, for those unable to relocate, crowding
and homelessness are the result. For the young
children of families facing this problem, there are
negative
consequences
for
educational
participation.
The Pilbara has an ageing population, yet there is
limited availability of aged care and semi
independent living facilities. Stakeholders note
that there are currently 9 residential aged care
beds between Geraldton and Hedland.
Accommodation for compulsory and postcompulsory students is also in short supply. Many
young people from across the Region are required
to attend schools in the main centres but struggle
to find accommodation. This problem is even more
acute for older students wishing to attend
university, TAFE or
other training programs (e.g. apprenticeships), in
the main centres.
Location
Karratha
Port
Hedland
Average
Median House Price
Rent/Week
2001 2008
2001
2008
$393 $2,178 $233,000 $702,000
$190 $1,567 $173,000 $680,000
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
Newman $121 N.A
$52,000
$500,000
Figure 5: Source PDC 2008, ABS 2006
Commercial
Consultation also reveals that office and
residential accommodation for not-for-profit
organisations and small business is effectively
non-existent. Any available commercial space is
quickly consumed by the resources sector,
32which is in a position to bid up rents. Not just
price, but quality of accommodation affects
peoples‟ willingness to stay in the Region. In a
recent survey of staff in Port Hedland and
Newman conducted by BHP Billiton, 90% of
respondents said that “accommodation was a
factor in deciding whether or not to accept a role
in a remote location”. Moreover, four out of five
said quality accommodation increased the length
of time they were willing to stay in the Pilbara.
Health
In terms of community infrastructure, health
(alongside housing) is cited as the number one
priority. There is need for significant expansion
and upgrade to health services across the Region,
including the introduction of services that are
currently not available. The WA Department of
Health has undertaken extensive analysis of the
priority needs and compiled a coordinated
program of upgrades and expansions. In summary
these are:
A “rescue package” for the Newman Hospital
combined with modification of part of the
existing hospital to introduce community and
primary health services;
A similar rescue package for Nickol Bay
Hospital in Karratha;
The development of a Karratha Super Clinic
with GP services. This would be attached to
Karratha‟s Nickol Bay Hospital and address
the shortfall in outpatient services in the
Region. Patient accommodation would be
included in this project;
The Roebourne Shared Health Services
Complex. This includes the development of
clinical consulting spaces; and extension of
the existing Mawarnkarra Aboriginal Health
Service building;
Page 16 of 21
Expansion of comprehensive Indigenous
Health Services, including Annual funding for
professional resources for screening,
intervention and referral programs plus
environmental health promotion programs,
reliable utilities supplies and health hardware
provision;
The development of three Drug & Alcohol
Rehabilitation Facilities in the Pilbara;
A Cancer Care Centre based at the Hedland
Regional Resource Centre (Health Campus).
There is no capacity for simple chemotherapy
in the Region, which means that all drug and
radiation therapy must be carried out in
Perth. The establishment of a regional
treatment centre will generate savings in the
Patient Assisted Travel Scheme and decrease
the level of stress associated with having to
regularly travel to Perth; and;
Improvements to the Royal Flying Doctor
Service within the Pilbara including new
hangar and support facilities at Port Hedland
Airport and a jet aircraft dedicated to the
Region
Education
Education is regularly cited in community surveys
as a touchstone issue. The Region has a shortfall
of some 2,000 15-19 year olds compared with
other similarly sized regions because families
often leave once their children reach high school
age, a reflection of the perceived limited
opportunities for high school and postcompulsory education. The working hours and
highly transitory nature of the population results
in high levels of truancy and the Indigenous
community is particularly hard hit as there is very
little capacity for them to travel in from
settlements to take up schooling at the Regional
centres.
The review of the education priorities identified
the need for:
Increased apprenticeship training places
in the Region;
The establishment of a Pilbara Mining
Academy; and
General expansion and upgrade of
existing
facilities
including
the
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
requirement
for
hostel
style
accommodation for remote based
students.
Private secondary education facilities in the
Region are also required to ensure the need of
present and future families are met.
Social
The Pilbara is characterised demographically by a
high percentage of young families. This results
largely from the lure of high income for young
workers (20-40 years) in the resources sector.
Typically this group spends a large part of their
childbearing years in the Pilbara and so the
percentage of children under 12 is high.
Three issues arise from this. Firstly the demand
for quality obstetrics and gynaecological services
totally overwhelms the services on offer. The
community perception that the service is
inadequate causes the majority of young mothers
to return to their home town or a major city
(usually Perth) for the necessary support which
consequently strains family relationships. The lack
of maternity services also impacts on local
education with mothers leaving town to give birth
needing to take with them other children because
the partner is locked into 12 hour shifts that
preclude them acting as the primary carer.
Secondly, ongoing health and medical support is
warranted when the wife and child return to the
Region. Again it is poorly provided. Finally, with
the children healthy and needing development
stimulation, playgroups and childcare places are in
high demand. From a productivity perspective
each childcare place has been valued by industry
at approximately $1million. Childcare allows the
primary care giver the opportunity to rejoin the
workforce, thus increasing the size of the local
labour force without the need for additional
housing. This has direct productivity and cost
saving benefits for industry. In fact, the resources
sector values a housing unit (house and land) that
it would normally have to provide to any worker
at approximately $1million.
Furthermore the opportunity to work is frequently
welcomed by the primary care giver and this more
balanced family structure adds further to the
stability of the workforce and the community at
large.
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Cultural Tourism & Economic Development
Sport & Recreation
There is a strong and widely acknowledged
synergy between cultural tourism, economic
development
and
Indigenous
cultural
development, particularly in regional Australia.
Apart from the resources sector, tourism has the
most economic potential in the Pilbara,
particularly with respect to Indigenous cultural,
industrial and nature-based tourism.
Sport and recreation opportunities are the basis
of social capital building in regional Australia.
Access to high quality sport and recreation
facilities, particularly in a landscape with an
unfavourable climate, is essential to quality of life,
and therefore, to labour retention. Of the 12
projects proposed in the Region, six were
identified as priorities. They focus on developing
multipurpose facilities that recognise shifts in
recreation behaviour, as well as the unique
conditions in the Pilbara. This means that indoor,
informal or unorganised services (such as gyms)
are the focus. Additionally, there is a
complementary benefit in providing greater
boating facilities with economic development
opportunities (e.g. tourist and recreational charter
boating and fishing together with commercial tug
berthing).
Located within the Australia’s North West regional
tourism area, the Pilbara Region is part of a 2.5
billion year old landscape and the rugged Pilbara
is a premier adventure holiday destination. Its
three world class national parks cover some
500,000 square kilometres of land, and include
Karijini - regarded as one of Australia's most
stunning natural assets.
The ancient Pilbara boasts more rock art than
anywhere in the world. The Burrup Peninsula near
Dampier has tens of thousands of ancient
Aboriginal rock carvings – described as truly mind
blowing. Sheltered bays along the Dampier coast
cradle clean, empty beaches, and there are many
opportunities for fishing and diving adventures.
Whale watching, turtles lumbering up the beaches
to lay their eggs, amazing wildflower displays and
outback camping under a million stars are among
the tourism opportunities yet to be fully
developed.
While the Pilbara offers many unique tourism
opportunities, and has a range of stay-over
facilities, it is again held back by a shortage of
tourism accommodation, including backpackers'
and caravan facilities. One of the Region’s caravan
parks is known to be regularly turning away some
40 caravanners each week.
These limited facilities for tourists in the Region
are a major constraint to the few opportunities
for economic expansion outside of the resource
sector. The three proposed cultural tourism
facilities proposed in the Pilbara Plan have been
subject to considerable investigation by local
government and the Ngarluma and
Yindjibarndi Foundation. When established they
will help create a Pilbara-wide network of tourist
experiences,
training
and
employment
opportunities for the Indigenous community.
Environment
The Pilbara NRM Reference Group works with the
Rangelands NRM, created by the Australian
Government in association with State and
Territory Governments in 2003, as one of 56
regions across Australia. It represents a wide
variety of stakeholders from community, industry
and government, on matters relating to
current and future investment in the Region. The
activities of these groups have been assisted by
NRM funding sources, including the Australian
Government’s “Caring for our Country‟ initiative.
While most infrastructure proposals will reduce
the impact on the environment (e.g. more
efficient - including electricity generation from
renewable resources), there are three key
projects with specific environmental objectives:
Coastal mapping is required, and has been
commenced to identify vulnerable areas as a
consequence of human intervention, global
warming and climate change. Currently there is
no data to inform future planning or elevation
maps for the coastal zone.
There is a need to develop more appropriate
and energy efficient construction materials and
building forms for Pilbara conditions.
To stimulate buy-in from the private sector,
demonstration projects are proposed.
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
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Essential Infrastructure
Research has shown that Australia’s shortfall in
productivity, in comparison with other countries,
is largely due to distance and low population
density, which result in diseconomies of scale in
both
capital
and
labour
investment.
Consequently, infrastructure provision that helps
to overcome transport, communication and other
basic service provision is particularly necessary in
remote and regional parts of Australia.
10 priority projects have been identified under
the three themes associated with essential
infrastructure:
Utilities
Transport
Communication
Utilities
Energy and water supply agencies in Western
Australia have compiled comprehensive plans to
improve and secure utilities services both to
support industry expansion and provide for the
population. The North West Interconnected
electricity System is a proposal to integrate
electricity generation and transmission in the
Pilbara. It is a three-stage program, the first two
of which are essential as a result of the mining
sector shutting-off electricity generation currently
servicing coastal towns. The third stage will
provide necessary expansion of capacity in the
event of proposed mining operation increases.
The projects are:
The Cape Lambert to Port Hedland
transmission line upgrade (necessary within
the next 2-3 years).
The Karratha to Cape Preston new
transmission line (necessary within the next
3-5 years).
The Port Hedland to Newman new
transmission line (necessary within
5+years).
The combination of these projects will improve
the reliability and efficiency of the network, as
well as provide certainty to regional industry;
reduce the impact on the environment through a
reduction in CO2 emissions of around 3 million
tonnes per year; facilitate the development of
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
renewable energy generation; and facilitate rail
and pit electrification in the mining operations.
Potable and treated effluent water supplies in the
Region are also in need of substantial upgrades
due to run down infrastructure and increased
residential and industry demand.
The Western Australian Water Corporation has
plans in place to upgrade water and waste
infrastructure over a 5-10 year time frame. It
includes:
West Pilbara
Water source/conveyance investigations
and construction for Onslow, and the
West Pilbara water supply scheme
(Dampier,
Karratha,
Roebourne,
Wickham, Point Sampson, and Cape
Lambert); and
Waste water conveyance and treatment
asset upgrades;
East Pilbara
Water source/conveyance investigations
and construction for Port and South
Hedland and Marble Bar; and
Waste water conveyance and treatment
asset upgrades for Port/South Hedland.
The two schemes are planned to be operated
independently of each other to serve the needs of
the respective district.
Transport
Recognising the Region’s 1,300km distance from
Perth, regional air transport services are a key
consideration in meeting the Region‟s business
and tourism needs and opportunities. While direct
flights to and from Perth are generally adequate,
issues currently highlighted in the Pilbara are the
lack of connecting
flights between major the centres and a serious
shortfall in what is referred to as „milkrun‟ flights
linking these centres. The airports in Tom Price
and Onslow are identified as potential
opportunities for growth.
Public transport within and between the Region‟s
rapidly growing centres and towns, and
connecting to the tourist attractions is also
highlighted elsewhere in this Plan as a major
shortcoming. Possible flight school pilot training
Page 19 of 21
facilities and defence training opportunities also
have been identified.
The OECD’s (2002) review of the impact of
transport infrastructure investment in regional
areas of member nations (including Australia),
concluded that this investment has direct benefits
to users and that this stimulates behavioural
change in users that has wider impacts on
regional efficiency, access and externalities (such
as traffic pollution). Both direct and spill-over
benefits can be measured, including:
Direct Benefits
Improved travel time
Reduced cost of travel
Improved safety
Socio-economic spill-overs
Improved accessibility to and from region
Increased regional employment (e.g. in
construction, operation and maintenance
of infrastructure)
Improved regional industry efficiency
Improved
connectivity
between
communities
Changes to environmental effects
The preliminary findings of the Pilbara Freight
Study noted that the growth in road freight is
straining the road infrastructure beyond capacity.
This adds weight to Main Roads WA’s urgent
program for road bituminisation and connections.
The MRWA priority program is incorporated into
this Plan. It is a list of urgent priority unfunded
projects as follows:
Karratha – Tom Price Road, Seal from end
of current seal to Millstream National
Park (20km)
Improvements to Munjina – Roy Hill Road,
along various sections/floodways; and
Duplicate Redbank Bridge on Port
Hedland Road.
The final component is the expansion of general
cargo and common user berth facilities, which
operate in support of the bulk cargo operations.
The priority is for the extension of the Dampier
port with 600 metres of general cargo berth and
associated lay down areas and a similar expansion
to inner harbour facilities in Port Hedland
comprising one multi-user berth and two
additional cape sized bulk mineral export berths
with multi user access. The Port Hedland Port
Authority is also in need of a new Port Authority
administration centre for its own operations and
those of other port users.
Communication
Connecting to the National Broadband Network
and extending mobile coverage along transport
corridors between towns are essential for
economic development and quality of life, and
also necessary to improve safety and security.
When travelling between towns, currently there
are periods of up to eight hours where
people are out of communication.
Marble Bar Road (MBR) – Sheet/seal
north of Jigalong Road to Munijina to Roy
Hill Road (24km);
MBR – Alignment improvements to
various sections of Nullagine to Ripon Hills
(90km);
MBR – Realignment of Coongan Gorge
(4km);
MBR – Construct Kalgan River Floodway
between Newman and Jigalong Road;
Improve Jigalong Road to Community;
Reconstruct Nanutarra – Munjina Road
through Rio Tinto Gorge (stage 1, 3km);
Regional Development Australia – Pilbara:
Regional Profile
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[Client name] – [Project Title]
Page 21 of 21