East Pilbara Art Centre

Officially opened in April 2016, the East Pilbara Arts Centre is a first-class gallery, artist working space and event facility that was designed by the Martu people.

This project will help support the economic development and continued community growth in the East Pilbara by creating new opportunities for artists. It also brings together indigenous and non-indigenous people to connect, learn and share cultural experiences.

Recognised for its innovation and strength of partnerships, the East Pilbara Arts Centre project was a finalist in the 2015 Premier’s awards and the 2016 Institute of Public Administration.

Dampier Community Hub

A vibrant new community centre in Dampier was completed in 2016 to meet the increasing demand for community services and facilities.

The new centre has a 70-place childcare facility, public library, coffee kiosk, multipurpose meeting rooms and community spaces, and a refurbished community hall. Businesses have also benefited from the construction of the new facility, with 27 local Pilbara businesses engaged during the build, representing 70 per cent of all sub-contractors employed by project builder Pindan Contracting.

The Dampier Community Hub is the first project completed under the Pilbara Cities Place Making and Activation Framework.

Karratha Family Centre Relocation

The Karratha Family Centre was relocated to make way for the new centrally-located Karratha Health Campus which is now under construction.

Extensive refurbishment works were undertaken on an unoccupied State Government building in a residential suburb, revitalising the facility and making it suitable for the Family Centre’s needs.

The new vibrant space is conveniently located next to a public open space and primary school. The new facility will also enable an increase in the Family Centre’s capacity to deliver programs and activities for Karratha children and families.

Department of Lands Staff Support

The Pilbara Development Commission initiated a staff support project to fast track land availability in response to the complex land administration work required for the Pilbara.

Funding supports the engagement of 4.3 full time staff over three years. Supporting the Department of Lands expands their capacity to de-constrain land in the Pilbara to aid in normalising land availability.

Paraburdoo Childcare Centre

Local residents in Paraburdoo now have access to a modern, purpose-built childcare centre with construction of the new facility completed in October 2016.

The Paraburdoo Childcare Centre will cater for up to 73 children, providing long-term and after-school care, meeting the growing needs of the local community.

The new facility will improve accessibility to childcare and out of school care services which will attract and retain families in Paraburdoo, and assist parents to enter or re-enter the workforce.

This supports the Pilbara Cities vision of growing regional centres into vibrant, sustainable communities.

The childcare centre is located in the town centre adjacent to the site for the new Paraburdoo Community Hub, which is due to begin construction in 2017.

Pilbara Health Partnership

Established in 2009 in partnership with WA Country Health and the Pilbara Industry Community’s Council, the Pilbara Health Initiative continues to improve the delivery of health services in the region.

In 2014/15 the program provided 39 paediatric specialists across the region, sexual health nurses delivered a total of 472 hours to inland and coastal districts, and an emergency specialist 20 hours per week from Royal Perth Hospital. In addition, the Outpatient Specialist Clinic at Nickol Bay Hospital was completed in November 2014.

The initiative continues to decrease emergency patient response time, the need for patients to travel outside of the region for treatment while improving technology and resources available in the Pilbara.

Karratha Trade Training Centre

Completed in November 2014, the new Trade Training Centre provides a pathway for students for electrical trade qualifications.

Located at St Luke’s College, the Karratha-based training centre improves the quality of education options for secondary students and is also available to students studying at the Pilbara Institute.

Funding for this project was allocated under the Pilbara Cities Pilbara Education Partnership Fund in response to a need for access to quality, local education.

Aboriginal Training and Employment Centre

The Bloodwood Tree Aboriginal Training and Employment Centre is a dedicated training and employment centre for the local Aboriginal population of the Town of Port Hedland, providing economic development education and training and employment services through various programs.

The new Centre offers much-needed office and service delivery space, as well as enabling the recruitment of additional staff and the expansion of employability and economic development services.

As a result of the Pilbara Cities investment, the Bloodwood Tree Association was able to immediately recruit two new staff members: an Aboriginal Training and Employment Consultant and an Events Officer. As a further result, the Association was also able to secure its application to become a Group Training Organisation, recognised by the Department of Training and Workforce Development.

Karijini Amphitheatre and Accommodation

A state-of-the-art cultural amphitheatre and four accommodation units were constructed at the Karijini Eco Retreat to increase educational and tourism activities in the iconic National Park.

The amphitheatre will support the introduction of new activities for visitors particularly during off-peak and shoulder season, increasing occupancy and the financial sustainability of the Eco Retreat.

Development of the tourism sector is an opportunity to diversify the region’s economic base, providing more jobs and locally generated wealth not related to the mining sector. The completion of this project delivers a new attraction to the popular tourist destination.

Youth Involvement Council

YIC is Port Hedland’s leading youth organisation and works with at-risk youth to deliver positive change, a service that is essential to improving the wellbeing of young people and social outcomes within the town.

Officially opened on 20 June 2016, YIC HQ in South Hedland has allowed the not-for-profit organisation to expand its services to disadvantaged and at-risk youth, particularly for 5 to 10 year olds.

The new centre boasts an education centre, workshop and service yard, multi-purpose indoor facility, social enterprise classroom and commercial kitchen.

Yaandina Aged Care Facility