2015/16 Progress Report

Reporting period: 2015-16

None of the remarkable achievements of 2015/16 would have been possible without our partners in regional development. The collaboration between industry, community and government has been integral to the transformation of the Pilbara and will continue to be a pillar of strength for the region.

For an organisation of 21 staff members, the Commission has been at the centre of the rapid economic and social development of the region. In 2015/16, the Commission was responsible for securing $61.8 million in Royalties for Regions funding for 23 projects. This includes the Karratha Arts and Community Precinct, the East Pilbara Innovation Centre and the Paraburdoo Community Hub, which were successful in securing funding through the Pilbara Cities initiative.

Meanwhile, the annual Regional Grants Scheme and Community Chest Fund continued to provide valuable support for grass roots community projects, such as the Pilbara Destination Guide, Newman Town Square Activation and Karijini Experience event.

This progress report is a glimpse of the work undertaken by the Commission, in collaboration with our regional development partners, to continue this transformation.

Click here to download the 2015/16 Progress Report and learn more about the Commission's achievements over the last 12 months, and focus for the future.

Red Dog: True Blue

Funding the second instalment in the Red Dog film franchise guaranteed 80 per cent of filming and production took place in the Pilbara.

The film celebrates the rugged beauty, rich culture and unique history of the region which will contribute to the promotion of the Pilbara as an exciting and desirable tourism destination.

Part of the funding has been allocated to three legacy projects which will continue to leverage the success of the Red Dog franchise.

The premiere of Red Dog: True Blue was screened in the Pilbara on 3 December 2016, prior to its national release on Boxing Day 2016.

Electrical Instrumentation Centre of Specialisation

This new centre will support training for electrical apprentices, higher level courses for qualified electricians who require specialist skills development, and an electrical trade career pathway for school leavers. In building the capacity of the North Regional TAFE to deliver electrical engineering training, including the new trade qualification Certificate IV in Engineering (Electrical Instrumentation), the focus is on investigating the most appropriate method of delivery, the improvement of infrastructure and equipment, and expertise of training personnel to deliver the Centre.

Specifically, the new training facility includes interactive computer based training aids, a multipurpose motor training rig, a multipurpose instrumentation training rig, and PLC (Programmable Logic Controls) trainers. Outcomes of this project will include the retention of young people within the Pilbara, addressing skill shortages in the electrical trades, the upskilling of electricians already working in the Pilbara, and supporting the local community with education and employment opportunities.

The Centre will reduce dependence in the Pilbara on fly-in fly-out workers, provide state of the art infrastructure and technology to support vocational education in the Pilbara, and assist in meeting industry demands to train workers locally. Additionally a smaller scale workshop has been established at Pundulmurra Campus in South Hedland as a feeder facility for electrical studies.

The $9.5 million project was made possible with a $1.74 million contribution from Woodside-operated North West Shelf Project and Pluto LNG. Woodside's apprentices will be trained at the centre.