The Pilbara Development Commission has welcomed the appointment of three new members to its Board and the reappointment of one of its existing members.

Appointments to the Board are made by the Minister for Regional Development and endorsed by Cabinet.

Under the Regional Development Commission Act 1993 the Board should include two members who are elected councillors from local governments in the region and two members who are appointed as community members.

Calls for nominations are advertised via news outlets and via letters to local government, business chambers and other regional organisations.

The new Board members are:

Ms Gerry Parsons, who is a Councillor for the Shire of East Pilbara and a board member for a range of Newman community and business organisations, has been reappointed for a second term.

Ms Parsons and the three new Board members join existing Board member, Ms Sara Slattery, who is a Career Practitioner with experience working for employment services and Aboriginal-owned organisations in the Pilbara, and Board Chair, Mr Brendan Hammond, who has worked in a range of senior roles across energy, water, ports and resources sectors.

Mr Hammond said he was looking forward to working with the new Board members who each brought extensive experience in diverse fields.

“As outlined in our Strategic Plan 2019-21, the purpose of the Commission is to be the catalyst for development and growth in the Pilbara,” Mr Hammond said.

“Our new and reappointed Board members bring diverse experience that is highly relevant to this task.

“I greatly look forward to working with them to achieve the Commission’s vision for the Pilbara region of vibrant and sustainable communities underpinned by a strong, diverse economy.”

Further information about the Commission’s Board may be found here.