Pilbara Framework

Government of Western Australia

Department for Planning and Infrastructure

Government of Western Australia

Department for Planning and Infrastructure

Pilbara Framework Background and Rationale

Pilbrara Framework Background

Introduction This document provides a spatial planning profile for the Pilbara. It also provides the background and rationale for the Pilbara Framework, which will set out the spatial strategic direction for the region. This will inform State Government investment in infrastructure and provide the context for local government planning in the region.

Work on the Regional Profile and the Pilbara Framework interacts with parallel work on the Pilbara Plan, produced by the Pilbara Regional Council in partnership with the Pilbara Area Consultative Committee and the Pilbara Regional Council. It also draws on the activities of the Pilbara Living Country program, initiated by the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Pilbara Region Planning Committee State Government is in the process of establishing a Pilbara Region Planning Committee of the WA Planning Commission. This is part of an initiative to reduce centralised decision making in favour of greater delegation to the Pilbara community through local government. It is considered to be an effective vehicle to lead and deliver on State Government’s regional priorities.

This will empower the region to build capacity to respond to global, national and state pressures and opportunities. The Planning Committee can provide a focus point for regional decision making and invoke the power of the 2005 Planning and Development Act to set interim and long-term priorities, development controls and actions that respond to Pilbara issues in a coordinated and integrated way across government.

It is intended that the Regional Profile be reviewed by the Pilbara Region Planning Committee, which would in turn set the agenda for the Pilbara Framework, to be launched later in the year.

Invitation to Comment This document provides essential information, identifies issues and raises some challenging ideas. However, it is still a work in progress requiring additional data and further analysis. We encourage contributions in all these respects.

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Contents Background and rationale to the pilbara framework. . . . . . 1 1. Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.2 Framework scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.3 Legislative and policy framework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2. Regional overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.1 The Pilbara. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.2 Physical setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.3 Historical perspective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2.4 Economic drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2.5 Demographic profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3. The Pilbara environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 3.1 Environmental values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 3.3 State of the pilbara environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 3.4 Impacts of climate change. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

4. Regional infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 4.1 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 4.2 Regional transport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 4.3 Water resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 4.4 Energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 4.5 Other infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

5. Settlement structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 5.1 Sustainable settlements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 5.2 Settlement typology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 5.3 Mining dependence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 5.4 Population growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 5.5 Housing and neighbourhood design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 5.6 Community infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 5.7 Urban infrastructure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 5.8 Land supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

6. Pilbara land management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 6.1 Land use pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 6.2 Pastoral land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 6.3 Mining land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 6.4 Conservation land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 JULY 2009

6.6 Urban areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 6.7 Unallocated crown land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 6.8 Land management issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 6.9 Pilbara living country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Appendix A: Settlement profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Map 1: The Pilbara region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Map 2: Topography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Map 3: Pilbara bioregions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Map 4: Vegetation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Map 5: Coastal environments and hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Map 6: Rivers and drainage catchments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Map 7: Cultural heritage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Map 8: Native title. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Map 9: Historical development sequence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Map 10: Mineral and hydrocarbon resources. . . . . . . . . . . 107 Map 11: Tourism development opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . 108 Map 12: Road system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Map 13: Ports and harbours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Map 14: Airports and airstrips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Map 15: Rail network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Map 16: Water resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Map 17: Infrastructure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Map 18: Community facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Map 19: Port Hedland development hotspots . . . . . . . . . . 116 Map 20: South Hedland development hotspots. . . . . . . . . 117 Map 21: Karratha development hotspots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Map 22: Newman development hotspots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Map 23: Onslow development hotspots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Map 24: Aboriginal communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Map 25: Strategic industrial areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Map 26: Land tenure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Map 27: Pilbara pastoral leases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Map 28: DEC managed lands and water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Appendix B: State agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Appendix C: References, acronyms and abbreviations. . . 127

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Pilbrara Framework Background

Background and rationale to the pilbara framework this document provides the background and rationale for the Pilbara Framework, the principal volume that sets out the strategic direction for the region.

Work on the Pilbara Framework also interacts with parallel work on the Pilbara Plan, produced by the Pilbara Area Consultative

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Committee in partnership with the Pilbara Development Commission and the Pilbara Regional Council.

As with the Framework, information contained in this document is subject to public discussion and input

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Pilbrara Framework Context

1. Context

economic and infrastructure aspects of the region and the focus settlements.

1.1 Background

Table 1.1: Pilbara focus settlements West Pilbara Central Pilbara • Paraburdoo • Cossack • Tom Price • Dampier • Karratha • Onslow • Pannawonica • Point Samson/ • Roebourne • Wickham

The Pilbara Framework has been developed to provide the Pilbara with a settlement-focused regional development structure, for government and private infrastructure investment, as well as to provide the region’s four local government authorities with a context for the preparation of local planning strategies and local planning schemes. This framework is built on detailed profiles of the region’s major settlements, meshed with the findings of an array of other earlier and current Pilbara-wide studies and strategies.

There have been a number of initiatives in the past to provide some form of regional plan or strategy for the Pilbara. These include: • Pilbara 21: Final Strategy Report (1992) • Pilbara Land Use Plan (1997) • Central Pilbara Infrastructure Planning Study (2000) • Pilbara Land Use Strategy (2002) • Pilbara Regional Priority Plan (2005) Apart from the seminal Pilbara 21 strategy, these initiatives were not explicitly acted upon. However, the draft Pilbara Land Use Strategy (2002) and the draft Pilbara Regional Priority Plan (2005) provide invaluable background to the development of this framework.

1.1.1 Parallel studies and strategies In early 2007 a major study was undertaken by CRA International, addressing the infrastructure development implications of the state’s minerals and energy sectors. This study provides context to the Pilbara Framework’s regional infrastructure component (Chapter 4). Similarly, the ongoing Pilbara Living Country program, initiated by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), provides the basis for the biodiversity component of this framework (Chapter 6). In addition, the Pilbara Plan, developed through the Pilbara Dialogue forum, provides context and input in the identification of ‘hard’ and ‘community’ projects, required for the region’s sustainable development in the short to medium term.

1.2 Framework scope The framework focuses on the current and future functions, capacities and roles of the 14 mainstream settlements, that are anticipated to sustain growth as a result of the region’s resource development (Table 1.1). The framework looks towards a mid-term (2020) and a longer term horizon (2031).

With the exception of the three indigenous hub communities, the region’s indigenous communities have not been explicitly included in this analysis and strategic direction, nor have significant mining centres, such as Telfer and Nifty (closed company settlements). The framework focuses on the socio-

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East Pilbara • Marble Bar • Newman • Nullagine • Port Hedland Indigenous centres: • Jigalong • Kunowarri • Yandeyarra

1.3 Legislative and policy framework Patterns of activity and development are affected by global, national and state influences and associated policies, agreements and legislation. A number of Commonwealth Government policies seek to influence the land use and development of the area. Areas of interest include land care, the coast, the environment, native title and heritage. It should also be noted that the Commonwealth Government is a signatory to a range of international agreements, that include: Agenda 21, Montreal Protocol, National Strategy for Biodiversity, Ramsar and ANCA Wetlands.

The State Government, through its State Planning Strategy, adopted a framework for implementing policy through the various programs of government agencies. The strategy is part of the Western Australian Planning Commission’s (WAPC) work program.

1.3.1 State Planning Strategy The Western Australian Planning Commission Act 1985, Section 18 (1)(b) requires the WAPC to take a lead in preparing a planning strategy for the state as a means of coordinating and promoting regional land use planning and land development, and for guiding government departments and authorities and local government on those matters.

The State Planning Strategy provides a strategic guide for land use planning through to the year 2029 aimed at developing a land use planning system to help the state achieve a number of key goals.

These include generating wealth, conserving and enhancing the environment, and building vibrant and safe communities for the enjoyment of current and future generations of Western Australians. The strategy aims to guide ‘whole-of-government’ decision-making through strategies and actions guided by the following principles: • Environmental principle: to protect and enhance the key natural and cultural assets of the state and deliver to all Western Australians a high quality of life which is based on environmentally sustainable principles

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Pilbrara Framework Background

• Community principle: to respond to social changes and facilitate the creation of vibrant, accessible, safe and self reliant- communities • Economic principle: to actively assist in the creation of regional wealth, support the development of new industries and encourage economic activity in accordance with sustainable development principles • Infrastructure principle: to facilitate strategic development by ensuring land use transport and public utilities are mutually supportive • Regional development principle: to assist the development of regional Western Australia by taking account of the region’s special assets and accommodating the individual requirements of each region The strategy identifies a broad regional vision statement and key planning priorities for each of the state’s 10 regions, which provide the focus for integrated planning to enhance the future prospects of each region. The vision for the Pilbara Region is: “In the next three decades, the Pilbara Region will be a worldleading resource development area focusing on mineral extraction, petroleum exploration and production and the primary stages of downstream processing. The region’s population will grow in the future, fuelled by specific resource

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development projects, the sustainable development of Karratha and Port Hedland and a more diverse economy. A growing tourism industry will have developed based on the region’s unique natural environment.”

1.3.2 The environment The protection of the environment is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The EPA has a range of ways to achieve this goal, including formal and informal assessment and application of conditions upon development, through the ability to prepare environmental protection policies.

The responsibility for nature conservation rests with DEC and includes the conservation and management of WA’s wildlife and the lands, waters and resources vested with DEC for the benefit of present and future generations. DEC aims to develop a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system that also protects threatened species and communities. A Draft Nature Conservation Strategy (1992) prepared by the former Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), has as its fundamental objectives: • to conserve in perpetuity the widest possible diversity of indigenous landscapes, ecosystems and species (including their genetic variability) in natural habitats in Western Australia; and

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• to establish and maintain a statewide reserve system that is broadly representative of the state's natural habitats and forms a network of natural lands and waters that are sufficiently large and appropriately located to provide a refuge for migratory and other species.

A Report of the Marine Parks and Reserves Selection Working Group (1994) was prepared and published by CALM recommending a system of marine parks and reserves in WA. Other programs with a focus on the natural environment include Landcare –Integrated Catchment Management Strategies and Rangelands Strategies.

1.3.3 Strategic industrial areas In 1991, the then Minister for State Development announced that the government had approved a policy of regional heavy industry sites based at Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Northam, Karratha and Port Hedland. In 1995, the State Government released a report that provided a background for the preparation of a state heavy industry policy. The report, known as the Dover Report, identified factors considered important to attracting investments to WA for new industry and resource processing projects including: • land for heavy industry • assessment for approvals procedures • buffer areas for heavy industry

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• infrastructure for heavy industry • energy for heavy industry • incentives for heavy industry • land tenure for heavy industry • management of strategic industry areas • education and training for heavy industry The government is developing policies aimed at addressing each of these issues. A need for long-term planning of land and infrastructure for heavy industry has been identified to take advantage of the natural resource processing opportunities available in WA. Industrial estates are proposed at strategic locations around the state to secure appropriate land, including buffer areas to avoid unacceptable environmental and social impacts.

1.3.4 Urban planning strategies Over the past decade, urban planning strategies have been prepared for a number of Pilbara settlements: • Port Hedland: Port Hedland Land Use Master Plan – 2008 • Karratha: Karratha Area Development Strategy – 1998 • Onslow: Onslow Structure Plan Review – 2008 Structure plans are currently being prepared for Newman and Tom Price.

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Pilbrara Framework Regional overview

2. Regional overview

Governance

2.1 The Pilbara The Pilbara is a vast, diverse region extending over a area of 507 896 km2 – approximately 20% of the State of Western Australia.

Located between the 20th and 23rd parallels, the region is defined to the west by the Indian Ocean and to the east by the Northern Territory border (Map 1). The region supports a resident population of approximately 41 000 people (2006 Census). The major settlements of the region are: • Port Hedland/South Hedland • Karratha • Newman • Tom Price The region's secondary settlements comprise: Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson, Onslow, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo, Yandeyarra, Mable Bar, Jigalong and Nullagine.

The Pilbara is one of the largest mineral provinces in the world.

In recent decades, the Pilbara has come into prominence for its resource-based industries that operate in the global economy.

The exploitation of its extensive reserves of minerals and hydrocarbons has given the region major economic significance, to both Western Australia and the Commonwealth. The salient features of the region are summarised in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1: Settlement regional context Semi-arid region • challenging environment for urban development • highly remote location Displaced aboriginal • aboriginal kinship networks and cultural heritage heritage • gradual urbanisation of aboriginal population Pastoral settlement • cattle grazing dominant land use until 1960s • fishing/pearling at Port Hedland, Onslow and Point Samson Rapid settlement • town populations: 5450 (1966) > 38 120 (2006) growth since 1960s Region’s economic • 23% of WA’s raw gross state product (2006/07) importance • 8% of WA’s employment (2005/06) Gross regional • 45% of WA’s export income (2006/07) product: $7.6 billion • 61% of WA’s gross resource production (2006/07) Key settlement issues • land development constraints • housing supply and affordability • community facilities and services

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The municipal functions of the region are administered and delivered by four local government authorities: the Shires of Ashburton, East Pilbara, Roebourne and the Town of Port Hedland (Table 2.2). The Shire of East Pilbara is currently the largest shire in the world, with an area larger than the state of Victoria.

Table 2.2: Pilbara Local Government Structure LGA Area Resident Wards (km2) Population No. (Census 2006) Shire of 101 250 6078 6 Ashburton Shire of East 371 596 6544 6 Pilbara Shire of 15 239 16 423 4 Roebourne Town of Port 18 482 11 959 1 Hedland

Councillors No. 9 11 11 9

Source: ABS Census 2006 and Pilbara local government authorities 2008

2.2 Physical setting The Pilbara is a diverse region. It is a region of mountain ranges, deserts, plains and numerous offshore islands. Climatically, the Pilbara is defined as semi-arid, having high temperatures, low and variable rainfall and high evaporation. The landforms of the region are ancient, yielding a range of mineral deposits and producing unique and dramatic landscapes as found in Karijini and the Chichester Ranges. (Map 2)

2.2.1 Climate The Pilbara has a harsh, semi-arid climate, becoming more arid inland. Summertime temperatures are extreme, and rainfall is inconsistent – usually associated with cyclonic activity. Table 2.3 illustrates the extremes of weather conditions experienced in the Pilbara, with a comparative profile for metropolitan Perth.

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Table 2.3: Pilbara settlement climatic characteristics Settlement Mean Daily Maximum Mean Daily Minimum Temperature (oC) Temperature (oC) Karratha 32.2 20.5 Marble Bar 35.3 19.9 Newman 31.3 17.3 Nullagine 32.9 16.6 Onslow 31.3 17.9 Pannawonica 34.2 19.0 Paraburdoo 33.2 18.6 Port Hedland 33.1 19.2 Roebourne 33.8 20.4 Tom Price 33.2 18.6 Metro Perth 23.3 13.3

Median Rainfall (mm) 261.4 333.8 307.8 324.2 222.2 368.4 289.8 309.5 279.7

289.8 854.2

Highest Monthly Rainfall (mm) 202.5 388.6

285.5 298.5 544.6 443.8 201.1 453.5 551.9 201.1 476.1

Days with Temperatures > 30oC 207.0 276.0 208.0 226.0 206.0 214.0 239.0 261.0 268.0 238.0 58.0

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

The temperature in the months from October to April reaches or exceeds 32oC almost every day, while the months of June, July and August are the coolest. Night-time inland temperatures during the winter months can be as low as 0oC. Peak rainfall occurs in the summer months between January and March, associated with tropical low pressure systems, which may result in cyclonic activity. Smaller peaks occur in May and June, generally as a result of cold fronts moving across the south of the state, which occasionally extend into the Pilbara (Bureau of Meteorology 2007).

Marble Bar has the reputation for the highest mean daily maximum temperature, while Nullagine has the lowest.

Cyclones, flooding and storm surge The coast from Port Hedland to the Exmouth Gulf is considered the most cyclone- prone area in Australia (Bureau of Meteorology 2007). In general, the cyclone season lasts from the beginning of November to the end of April, although tropical cyclones do occur outside of this window. These cyclones normally develop over Australia’s northern ocean waters and follow a south-westerly course parallel to the northwest-Australian coastline. Two-thirds of these cyclones then change direction and head south-east, crossing the coast and moving inland, bringing heavy rainfall.

These tropical cyclones can be very intense with recorded wind speeds of in excess of 250 km/hr and central pressures as low as 905 millibars. The most recent severe cyclone (Category Four ‘Cyclone George’) in March 2007 wreaked havoc in the Port Hedland area, causing three deaths and significant collateral damage (North West Telegraph 2008).

Associated with cyclonic activity is the threat of storm surge.

This occurs when low pressure systems associated with cyclones

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raise sea levels, and when accompanied by a high tide, result in widespread inundation of low-lying coastal areas. This surge usually can be accommodated in the system of tidal creeks common to the Pilbara coast. However, where major modifications have been made to the environment, through the construction of ports, railways, roads and other urban areas, the ability of the coastline to accommodate sea water flooding is greatly diminished, and such flooding may directly affect urban areas.

Storm surge studies have been undertaken for some industrial areas of Port Hedland, the Karratha town site, the Onslow town site and the Cape Lambert area. These studies provide guidance for ‘safe’ levels of development, noting that such studies are based on the reasonable likelihood of an event occurring. As such the 100-year return period has been used as a guide for town planning purposes.

The coincidental impact of run-off from cyclonic rainfall is flooding. Analysis suggests peak rainfall run-off is likely to occur well after the peak storm surge has occurred, making the cumulative effect of flooding from rainfall run-off and storm surge unlikely. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that the two events could coincide, particularly where the ‘wet’ season has been particularly active, as this may affect the ability of the environment to absorb rainfall and flooding.

The Pilbara coastline varies considerably in its tidal range and incidence of tropical cyclones. Generally tidal range increases from south to north. Hence, the spring tidal range at Onslow in the Urala secondary compartment is 1.7 metres and the tidal range in Keraudren secondary compartment is 5.9 metres (Table 2.4 and Map 5).

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Pilbrara Framework Regional overview

Table 2.4: Tidal range and incidence of tropical cyclones Primary compartment Secondary compartment Barrow

Dampier

Roebourne

De grey

Spring tidal range (m) (NLWRA 1998) 1.7 2.2 3.0 3.4 3.6 3.9 4.5 4.8 4.9 5.8 5.9 5.9

(a) Urala (b) Robe Delta (c) Fortescue (a) Regnard (b) Burrup (c) Nickol Bay (a) Sherlock (b) Depuch (c) Munda (a) Ridley (b) Mouth (c) Keraudren

Approximate tropical cyclone incidence every 100 yrs 27.8 23.8 23.8 28.6 28.6 28.6 25.9 25.9 25.9 23.4 20.4 20.4

Source: DPI/DEC 2008

2.2.2 Geology The geological history of the Pilbara began in the Archaean eon, approximately 3500 million years ago, when the first rocks of the Pilbara were formed. Early and middle Archaean rocks contain economic deposits of gold, nickel, copper and zinc and iron ore

deposits were also formed during this eon. The region can be divided into six distinct geological areas (Table 2.5).

Table 2.5: Pilbara geological areas Geological Area Description and Extent Pilbara craton This block contains the region’s oldest rocks, with granite domes the most dominant feature in this field.

Hamersley basin The Hamersley basin contains rocks ranging in age from 2750 to 2400 million years.

These rocks or this basin form the Chichester and Hamersley Ranges.

Early and middle Proterozoic basins These basins contain sandstones, shale and dolomites and some volcanic rocks.

Canning and Carnarvon basins These basins contain relatively unconsolidated and gently dipping sediments younger than 300 million years.

Tertiary and Quarternary sediments These sediments are preserved as caps on the higher parts of the Hamersley basin and in the rocks of the Pilbara.

Alluvial sands and gravels of this group are continually being deposited on the coastal plain by major rivers.

Dampier Archipelago Most of the islands in this area are composed of Quaternary and Tertiary limestone.

2.2.3 Topography and soils In general terms the topography of the region is characterised by: • extensive coastal plain punctuated with abrupt, craggy escarpments and occasional rocky headlands; • mountainous tablelands interspersed with wide river valleys that extend up from the coastal plain, meandering between imposing mesa formations and escarpments that comprise the Chichester, Hamersley, Fitzgerald and a sequence of lesser ranges; and • desert country of the East Pilbara, characterised by gently undulating uplands, drained by an ancient drainage system, comprising extensive salt lake chains.

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The Pilbara and Gascoyne coastline (Exmouth Gulf to Port Hedland) has approximately 200 significant but low-relief islands, that include the Dampier Archipelago, Barrow Island, the Montebello Islands, Thevenard Island, Lowendal Island and Depuch Island. Near-shore coastal waters include rocky and coral reef systems, creating expansive areas of protected waters. This coastline also includes areas of soft sediment and mangrove communities.

The extensive Pilbara region contains a diverse range of landforms and soils, ranging from the mud flats of the coastal areas to the inland desert areas (Table 2.6).

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Table 2.6: Pilbara topography and soil subregions Subregion Description Nickol Bay The Burrup Peninsula has a rugged topography composed mostly of gabbro and granophyre split boulder scree. Around the remainder of the bay are coastal mudflats and alluvial plains.

Port Hedland The soils of the area are generally sands and clays. Beneath are Quaternary sediments overlaying pre-Cambrian granite. The area is relatively flat.

Onslow Mudflats and coastal sand dunes fringe the coast. Red earths, often with a cover of gravel, dominate the coastal plain behind.

East Pilbara This region features the Great Sandy Desert, a gently undulating plain that rises to 450 m above sea level. The chief soils are red earthy sands and red siliceous sands, with ironstone gravels locally. Occasional outcrops of sandstone and conglomerate rise above the plain.

Central Pilbara Topography and soils - The central Pilbara features the Chichester Range of volcanic tuff and basalt (rising to 200 m) and the Hamersley Range of jaspilite, shale and dolomite (rising to 250 m). The mountainous regions typically have shallow, skeletal soils, the plains and pediments chiefly hard alkaline red soils.

Coastal belt Soils - Most of the coastal belt is alluvial plains of sand. Around Roebourne and towards Onslow the plains are basalt-derived dark clays, which crack deeply in the dry season. Low-lying hypersaline mud flats fringe much of the coast, particularly in the north. Rocky areas occur between Cape Lambert and Cape Preston.

Marine waters Fringing coral reefs are associated with almost all the islands in the area. The size, diversity and condition of these reefs vary. Particularly extensive reefs include those around the Montebello Islands, and Barrow, Thevenard, Tortoise, Serrurier, Direction, Enderby, Eaglehawk, Legendre, Delambre, Ashburton and the Murion islands.

Offshore islands Soils - The islands include sand cays of various sizes (mostly made of mobile Pleistocene sands of marine origin), small rocky islands and larger islands of marine sands, interspersed with limestone and granite outcrops.

2.2.4 River systems Major river systems that drain the region, generally in a south east to a north westerly direction (from the Pilbara ‘high country’ to the Indian Ocean), include the following: • De Grey/Yule Rivers • Fortescue River • Ashburton River The rivers contribute significant recharge to groundwater resources found in alluvial sediments on the coastal plain and inland. Stream flows in the region are predominantly a direct response to rainfall, and as such they are highly seasonal and variable. With the exception of some small but important springfed sections, all water courses in the region are ephemeral, in that surface flow ceases for at least part of each year. Most run-off occurs during the period January to March, as a result of cyclonic activities. The Harding River has been dammed and, conjunctively with the Millstream aquifer, is an important water source for urban and industrial users in the West Pilbara.

The East Pilbara is drained by the Sandy Desert Lake Dora system, that comprises ancient drainage systems featuring extensive salt lake chains.

2.2.5 Vegetation and fauna As with topography and soils, there is a diverse range of vegetation and fauna in the Pilbara Region. The region’s marine and terrestrial vegetation communities provide habitats for a range of fauna species.

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Marine: The region’s diverse coastline supports significant mangroves, coral reefs, sponge gardens, seagrass beds, seaweed meadows, barriers and offshore islands, protected lagoons, deltas, rocky shores and sandy beaches, It is inhabited by marine turtles, dugongs, whales, dolphins, seabirds, fish and colourful invertebrates. Four of the world’s seven species of marine turtle nest in the Pilbara: the loggerhead, green, hawksbill and flatback turtle all nest on Pilbara beaches.

Land: The Pilbara’s bio-subregions provide diverse landscapes creating habitats that support an array of mammal, reptile, bird and invertebrate species. The region is prolific in arid zone reptiles, particularly in the Great Sandy Desert.

The Pilbara’s flora and fauna issues are addressed in more detail in Section 3.

2.3 Historical perspective 2.3.1 Indigenous cultural legacy The Pilbara is home to a number of Indigenous peoples, who have a strong traditional connection to country, with the landscape providing the basis for their spirituality, beliefs and social systems.

There is archaeological evidence to suggest that Indigenous people have inhabited the region for at least 30 000 years. More than 30 distinct socio-cultural groups occupied the region.

Indigenous culture and kinship networks remain strong today.

Indigenous peoples include the: Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma (West Pilbara); Bindi Bindi (Onslow); Guruma (Central Pilbara); Kariara, Ngarla, and Njamal (Port Hedland); and the Niabali (Newman).

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Pilbrara Framework Regional overview

2.3.2 Pastoral legacy

2.3.4 Indigenous heritage

Early European settlement occurred at Roebourne and the port of Cossack. Early industry was largely pastoral, gold mining and pearling. Until the advent of iron ore mining in the 1960s, the only towns were Onslow, Roebourne, Point Samson (having replaced Cossack as the port servicing Roebourne), Wittenoom, Marble Bar, Nullagine and Port Hedland.

The region is the site of a prolific number of aboriginal rock engravings, most notably on the Burrup Peninsula – recognised as one of the richest rock art sites recorded. The entire region, however, is a major rock engraving area and features a greater number and variety of figures than anywhere else in Australia.

2.3.3 Mining legacy Today’s Pilbara settlement pattern is largely the product of mining development that had its genesis in the 1960s. This is particularly the case for the inland settlements of Newman, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo and Tom Price, but also the coastal settlements of Dampier, Karratha and Wickham (Table 2.7).

With the mining towns there are three settlement systems associated with mining companies, together with one now abandoned. In addition to this settlement structure, the town of Wittenoom was established in 1947 to support the mining of asbestos in the district. With the realisation of the carcinogenic properties of asbestos, mining has now ceased and the town closed in 1966.

Table 2.7: Settlement establishment Coastal Settlement Date Inland Settlement Roebourne 1866 Marble Bar Cossack 1872 Nullagine Onslow 1883 Wittenoom Port Hedland 1896 Tom Price Point Samson 1910 Newman Dampier 1966 Pannawonica Karratha 1968 Paraburdoo Wickham 1970

Date 1893 1899 1947 1967 1968 1970 1971

Archaeologists estimate there are in excess of 500 000 engravings on the Burrup — the world’s largest collection of petroglyphs. They depict images from archaic faces to emu and fish and have remained well preserved because of the hardiness of the Burrup’s rock.

Native title Australian law recognises the unique ties some indigenous groups have to land. It deems native title to exist where Aboriginal people have maintained a traditional connection to their land and waters, since sovereignty, and where it has not been removed by acts of government. Native title was first recognised by the High Court of Australia in 1992 with the Mabo decision. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can apply to the courts to have their native title rights recognised under Australian law. Native title holders have the right to be compensated if governments acquire their land or waters for future developments. Native title can co-exist with other forms of land title (such as pastoral leases) but is extinguished by others (such as freehold).

Of the 18 consent determinations of native title in WA, three have been for land in the Pilbara: • Thalanyji (11120km2) 18 September 2008 • Ngarla (10667km2) 30 May 2007 • Eastern Guruma (6024km2) 1 March 2007

Source: Pilbara local government authorities and mining companies (2008)

Table 2.8: Mining settlement and port development Mining Company Date CSR 1947 Goldsworthy 1966

Main Mine Wittenoom Gorge Mt Goldsworthy

Mt Newman Pilbara Iron

1967 1967

Mt Whaleback Mt Tom Price

Robe River

1970

Mesa J

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Settlement(s) Wittenoom (abandoned) Goldsworthy (abandoned) Shay Gap (abandoned) Newman Tom Price Paraburdoo Pannawonica Wickham

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Port Point Samson Port Hedland Port Hedland Dampier Cape Lambert (Port Walcott)

Pilbrara Framework Regional overview

Agreements

2.4.1 Resources sector

A number of agreements have been concluded between indigenous communities and government or industry. One of the most significant Pilbara agreements is the Burrup and Maitland Industrial Estates Agreement.

The Pilbara’s contribution to the total value of WA’s mineral and hydrocarbon production in 2006/07 was 61%. Together, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and the North West Shelf venture account for just under half of the state’s total exports.

Burrup and Maitland Industrial Estates Agreement: The State Government entered into the Burrup and Maitland Industrial Estates Agreement Implementation Deed (the Burrup Agreement) with three aboriginal groups in January 2003. The Burrup Agreement enabled the State Government to compulsorily acquire any native title rights and interests in the area of the Burrup Peninsula and certain parcels of land near Karratha. The Burrup Agreement allows for industrial development to progress across southern parts of the Burrup Peninsula, while at the same time establishing a conservation estate and ensuring aboriginal heritage is protected. The agreement also includes a range of economic and community benefits for the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi, Wong-goo-tt-oo and Yaburara Mardudhunera peoples, including education and training and a stake in future land developments.

Hydrocarbons

In addition there have a number of agreements undertaken by Indigenous peoples and resource companies. An example of such agreements is the recent accord between Rio Tinto and the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, which paved the way for a comprehensive new Indigenous Land Use Agreement for the area. The agreement underpins Rio Tinto’s plans to expand Cape Lambert, duplicate the rail line in the Dampier and Cape Lambert area and build a new power station near Karratha.

2.3.5 Colonial and mining heritage The pre-mining era towns provide many examples of colonial architecture of the early 1900s, with the best examples being at Cossack, Roebourne, and Marble Bar. The Pilbara region also has a rich European history associated with activities such as the pastoral industry, remote area exploration, mining, and coastal trade.

There is also a growing interest in obsolescent plant and machinery associated with the mining era. There are rudimentary railway museums in Port Hedland and Karratha and collections of diesel locomotives, haul trucks and other heavy equipment in the inland mining towns, typically located close to visitor information centres.

2.4 Economic drivers With a gross regional product of $7.6 billion, the Pilbara accounts for: • • • •

23% of WA's raw Gross State Product (2006/07) 8% of WA's employment (2005/06) 45% of WA's export income (2006/07) 61% of WA's gross resource production (2006/07)

North West Shelf Venture: This is the state’s largest export project, generating almost $12.75 billion in export revenue, through the sale of liquefied natural gas, oil and condensate. The North West Shelf Venture is operated by Woodside Petroleum, which co-owns the venture with partners BHP Billiton, BP, Chevron and Japan Australia LNG. This contribution is anticipated to expand, with the recent commissioning of the fifth processing train on the Burrup Peninsula, valued at $2.6 billion. Completion of the project will add 4.4 million tonnes of annual LNG processing capacity, bringing the total capacity at the Karratha gas plant to 16.7 mtpa. The first production of its new Angel platform, which will supply much of the train 5 gas, is expected in late 2008.

In addition, Woodside has commenced construction of its $11 billion Pluto LNG facility, Chevron has spent over $1.5 billion on environmental, engineering and financial studies on the $20 billion Gorgon project and a range of other oil/gas projects mooted for the Pilbara, have the potential to see investment of over $40-50 billion committed to be spent in the short-tomedium term.

Burrup Fertilisers: Established in 2003 and exporting in 2006, the Burrup Peninsula plant represents an important hydrocarbon sector component. The $700 million plant has a production capacity of 0.76 mtpa, making it one of the world’s largest producers of ammonia and nitrate fertilisers.

Iron ore From approximately 5 mtpa in the mid 1960s, exports of iron ore from the Pilbara have risen to 240 mtpa in 2006/07 and 290 mtpa in 2007/08.

BHP Billiton: With the successful ramp-up of its Rapid Growth Project 3, completed in late 2007, the company is forecasting production of 133 mt in 2008/09. The company is set to increase its current capacity at Port Hedland to a total of 240 mtpa through the inner harbour to cater for its Rapid Growth Projects 4, 5 and 6. The development of an outer harbour facility at Port Hedland, which is considered a necessity for BHP Billiton’s iron ore expansion plans, is currently in the pre-feasibility phase. The company has announced plans to expand production to over 300 mtpa by 2015.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore: The company commissioned two projects in the second half of 2007, which will contribute towards higher exports in 2008 and 2009 – the 22 mtpa Hope Downs mine and the Yandicoogina mine expansion, which will produce an

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Pilbrara Framework Regional overview

additional 16 mtpa. Work is well advanced on Rio Tinto $US925 million Cape Lambert port expansion - from 55 mtpa to 80 mtpa, scheduled for completion in late 2008. A feasibility study to expand the Pilbara capacity to 320 mtpa by 2012 is underway with a decision expected in early 2009. Rio Tinto has identified Cape Lambert as the preferred site for port expansion as part of its Pilbara capacity upgrade. During 2008, the company completed the phase B upgrade of the Dampier port, which is now ramping up towards its new capacity of 140 mtpa.

Fortescue Metals Group: The company began exporting from its 55 mtpa Pilbara project in May 2008. Fortescue Metals Group generated $201 million in export earnings through the export of 1.66 mt of iron ore in the eight weeks to June 2008 and envisages shipping a total of 15 mt of iron in 2008. The company has signalled an intention to ramp up production to around 120 mtpa by 2012 via the inner harbour and further expansion thereafter, potentially via the Port Hedland Outer Harbour.

North West Iron Ore Alliance: The State Government has recently confirmed the reservation of two new multi-user berths in Port Hedland’s inner harbour, which are yet to be built, for North West Iron Alliance and other potential junior producers. With the berths potentially in operation in 2012, collectively the alliance would deliver 50 mtpa of iron ore by 2013. Further capacity demands for the junior miners shall be addressed via the Port Hedland 200 mtpa multi-user Outer Harbour development.

CITIC Pacific: The company is planning to begin exports of 12 mtpa from a new port facility at Cape Preston and is anticipated to expand to 24 mtpa at a future date, as the market develops.

Other minerals The production of salt, copper, gold, manganese and other minority metals are also important contributors to the Pilbara’s resources sector.

2.4.2 Agriculture and fisheries Agriculture Agricultural production was valued at $53 million in 2002/03. This predominantly comprises livestock (cattle) disposals and products (wool) derived from 65 pastoral enterprises that cover almost a third of the Pilbara (14.6 million hectares).

Port Hedland is the main venue for livestock export. The pastoral industry is not anticipated to undergo any major expansion, although the region’s proximity to the growing Asian markets represents an opportunity, especially for the live cattle trade.

Fisheries Established fishing operations are located at Onslow, Dampier, Point Samson and Port Hedland. The commercial catch for the region during the 2006/07 season was 2,800 tonnes (demersal scalefish), valued at an estimated $23 million? While the fishing industry in the Pilbara is small compared to other regions, the total value of the catch has increased in recent years.

2.4.3 Service sector

Solar salt: The production of solar salt by Onslow Salt is central to the economy of Onslow and represents important adjuncts to the economies of Karratha and Dampier. Solar salt is also produced in Port Hedland by Rio Tinto Minerals.

Future resource investment In total, the current Pilbara resource development proposals have the potential to involve capital expenditures in excess of $30 billion and exports of 800 mtpa by 2015-18. However, the export environment over the next one to two years is, at the best, uncertain. The impending US recession (possibly generating a global recession) will most likely lead to a reduction in the demand for base metals, together with a contraction of available venture capital to finance the expansion of the Pilbara’s resource projects. BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are forecasting ‘volatility and uncertainty’ in China’s economy and are anticipating sharp falls in metals prices (WA Business News 23 October 2008).

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It is sobering to realise that commodity prices have declined in real terms by an average of 0.5% per annum for almost 100 years (Bloch et al, 2006). The short-run price spikes are a result of Chinese demand, which in turn is heavily reliant on final goods demand, particularly from the US. The spikes have stimulated investment in productive capacity in WA which, over time, will push prices back down (DTF, 2007). Additionally, the price spike has a lagged impact on inflation, which will encourage policy intervention amongst G8 countries to reduce commodity prices.

Over the time frame considered in this report, the general trend will be for commodity prices to revert to the historical long-run downward trend, with a flow-on effect to investment, population growth and other economic demand in the Pilbara.

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The Pilbara service sector includes community and governance (health, education, local, state and federal government services); retail, wholesale and hospitality services; and to a lesser extent business, property, media, information technology and consulting.

This sector tends to be concentrated in the regional centres of Port Hedland and Karratha.

The service sector accounts for 44% of the region’s working population: 25% male and 73% of the female working population.

Comparative figures for WA are: 66% for the working population; 52% for males and 83% for females. Important sectors are: community and governance (20%) and retail, wholesale and hospitality services (15%)(Table 2.9).

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Table 2.9: Pilbara service employment: 2006 Industrial Sector

Male %

No Retail, wholesale, hospitality and services Business, property, media, IT and consulting Community and governance Total service sector Total employment

939.0 822.0 1 143.0 2 904.0 11 843.0

Female %

No 8.2 7.2 10.0 25.4 100.0

1 864.0 942.0 2 709.0 5,515.0 7 688

Total %

No 24.8 12.5 36.1 73.4 100.0

2,803.0 1,764.0 3,852.0 8 419.0 19 531.0

14.8 9.3 20.3 44.4 100.0

Source: ABS 2006 Census

2.4.4 Tourism Pilbara tourism is dominated by business travel, with the Shire of Roebourne being the most visited destination in the Pilbara.

These figures are considered to be indicative, since there are many inconsistencies between these global figures and onthe-ground visitor counts. For instance, Karijinii National Park

attracts some 114 000 visitors in a year, whereas the total visitors to the Shire of Ashburton is estimated as 82 000 (Table 2.10).

Admittedly, a significant proportion of Karijini’s visitors are Pilbara residents; however the vast majority of them travel in excess of 50 kilometres.

Table 2.10: Visitors to the Pilbara 2007: by local government area LGA Ashburton East Pilbara Port Hedland Roebourne North West

Visitors

Visitor Nights 82 000 86 000 98 000 233 000 913 000

International

504 000 545 000 447 000 1 194 000 6 710 000

Average Stay (nights) Domestic

6.8 5.9 4.5 19.2 16.0

Total Spend 6.0 6.3 4.5 7.7 11.0

$34 million $35 million $36 million $109 million $596 million

Source: Tourism Research Australia 2007

The growth in mining and construction activity since 2002/03 has been accompanied by an exponential growth in demand for visitor accommodation. Mining and construction companies have block-booked the region’s hotels, motels, caravan parks, hostels, as well as the private rental market as accommodation for their

permanent, temporary and transient workers. The dwindled level of temporary accommodation for tourists and other non-mining related visitors has had a negative effect on tourism operators and other small businesses.

Table 2.11: Domestic purpose of visit 2007:by local government area LGA Holiday/leisure (primary tourism source) Visiting friends and relatives Ashburton 47% 8% East Pilbara 15% 11% Port Hedland 30% 9% Roebourne 30% 14% WA 43% 32% Australia 43% 35%

Other (includes business) 45% 47% 61% 60% 28% 24%

Note: Business component quantified for Roebourne at 44%. Source: Tourism Research Australia 2007

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Pilbrara Framework Regional overview

Table 2.12: Pilbara visitor accommodation: 2008 LGA Hotel Rooms Motel Rooms Ashburton East Pilbara Port Hedland Roebourne Total

19 175 605 139 938

Holiday Apartments

330 32 266 81 709

Cabins

4 47 0 131 182

Caravan Sites 184 247 55 664 1150

338 140 290 293 1061

Source: Tourism WA qnd Pilbara local government authorities 2008

The Pilbara local government authorities, through the Pilbara Regional Council, have developed a regional tourism plan to reinvigorate the tourism industry in the Pilbara. New hotels/motels are now planned for Port Hedland, Point Samson, Karratha and Tom Price. It is envisaged that, with these and the new transit camps becoming operational, there will be sufficient tourist, visitor and transient accommodation in the next two years to stimulate growth.

Onslow and the ‘Mackerel’ Islands are now actively positioning themselves as a tourist destination. Karijini National Park and Chichester Millstream National Park are recognised as tourist icons.

Karijini has been enhanced with the establishment of the Karijini Eco Retreat and a similar development is planned for Millstream. It is anticipated that the Warlu Way self-drive promotion will provide a link between the region’s key attractions.

2.5.1 Population change Population change in the Pilbara exhibits a mixed pattern, with a significant decline in Ashburton, compensated by a significant increase in the Shire of Roebourne (Table 2.14). Overall there has been a modest increase (5%), compared to a 15% growth in WA. Understatement at the 2006 Census, together with a significant population influx to the region since, has resulted in unprecedented pressure on the region’s housing resources.

Table 2.14: Pilbara population change: 1996–2006 LGA 1996 2001 2006 Ashburton East Pilbara Port Hedland Roebourne Total

2.5 Demographic profile On 8 August 2006 the Census counted 51 559 persons in the Pilbara, with 41 005 usually resident in the region (Table 2.13).

For a number of reasons, these figures are widely believed to be understated. Speculation over Census population counts has been a feature of the Pilbara for the past decade. It is understood, that for a variety of reasons, the 2006 Census significantly undercounted the Pilbara population.

Table 2.13: Pilbara counted and usual resident population: 2006 LGA People People Difference Difference Counted Resident No % Ashburton (S) 8141 6080 2061 25% East Pilbara (S) 10 717 6546 4171 39% Port Hedland (T) 13 437 11 960 1477 11% Roebourne (S) 19 354 16 419 2935 15% Total 51 559 41 005 10 644 21%

5715 5580 12 061 14 405 37 761

6080 6546 11 960 16 419 41 005

Source: ABS 2006 Census

2.5.2 Population age structure The key features of the Pilbara’s population age structure are: • • • •

Source: ABS 2006 Census

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7167 6738 11 945 13 399 39 249

% Change 1996-06 -15.2% -2.8% 0.1% 22.5% 4.5%

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relatively low median age: 31 high proportion in the pre-school age group (0-4) high proportion in the primary school age group (5-14) relatively low proportion in the senior high school/tertiary age group (15-24) • high proportion in the prime working age group (25-54) • low proportion in the pre-retirement age group (55-64) • very low proportion in the retiree age group (65+) The comparative Pilbara-WA pattern is summarised in Table 2.15. Trends between 1996 and 2006 indicate a decline in the proportion of people under 25 and an increase in the number of persons aged 65+.

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Table 2.15: Pilbara population age structure: 2006 Age groups: Males Females 0-4 years 1961 1757 5-14 years 3542 3251 15-24 years 2851 2589 25-54 years 11 868 9454 55-64 years 1753 1031 65+ years 541 405 Total 22 516 18 487

Total

Pilbara % 3718 6793 5440 21 322 2784 946 41 003

WA % 9.1 16.6 13.3 52.0 6.8 2.3 100.0

6.4 13.9 14.1 42.8 10.9 12.0 100.0

Source: ABS 2006 Census

The residents of the Pilbara have significantly higher median individual, family and household incomes, and lower median monthly housing loans repayments and median weekly rent than the residents of Perth and WA (Table 2.16).

Table 2.16: Pilbara comparative medians: 2006 Indicator Pilbara Perth WA Median age of persons 31 36 36 Median individual income $/week $887 $513 $500 Median family income $/week $2178 $1298 $1246 Median household income $/week $1969 $1086 $1066 Median housing loan repayment $/month $1062 $1300 $1213 Median rent $/week $80 $180 $170 Average number of cars/household 1.8 1.8 1.8 Source: ABS 2006 Census

2.5.3 Population turnover (‘churn factor’) A fundamental objective of community planning in the region is securing a stable, permanently resident population and local labour supply. The degree of population turnover or ‘churn factor’ is based on a household not living in the same house five years previously. Compared to the average population ‘churn’ factor for WA (46%) and the Perth metropolitan area (45%), the region’s index of residence instability is a high 66%. Within the region, this is more marked in some towns than others:

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• Paraburdoo: 76% • Tom Price: 72% • Newman: 71% • Pannawonica: 70% • Karratha: 69% • Port Hedland: 65% • Onslow: 52% Population turnover is very much a feature of the inland mining towns and to a lesser extent the mining port towns. Much of this can be attributed to the ramping up of the workforce as the resource sector expanded, following the earlier economic downturn. The cost of labour turnover, particularly in the higher skilled employment groups, is all too evident to industry, commerce and the government sector. Good community infrastructure and an attractive lifestyle are essential in the attraction and retention of the workforce and their families.

2.5.4 Indigenous population According to ABS Census data, the Pilbara’s indigenous population residents in indigenous communities and mainstream settlements has increased from 4247 in 1991 to 4896 in 1996 to 5660 in 2006(Table 2.17). It should be noted that the Census of indigenous populations is subject to a high degree of undercounting particularly at the 2006 Census in the Port Hedland LGA.

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Pilbrara Framework Regional overview

Table 2.17: Pilbara indigenous communities: 2006 Indigenous community/townsite Indigenous Yandearra Tjalka Boorda Tjalki Warra Port Hedland – Remainder Total Port Hedland Karratha Injudunna Cheeditha Wickham Roebourne (Shire) – Remainder Total Roebourne (Shire) excl. Karratha Tom Price Onslow Exmouth/Ashburton – Remainder Total Exmouth/Ashburton Jigalong Marble Bar Goodabinya Warralong Newman Punmu Kunawarriji Parngurr Kiwirrkurra East Pilbara – Remainder Total South Hedland Indigenous Region

Non-Indigenous 11 3 3 7054 7070 9332 0 3 1358 1797 3155 2274 331 4119 6732 20 77 0 0 3333 8 3 6 7 644 30 396

99 79 16 1596 1791 740 147 59 284 595 1091 160 192 259 613 251 65 5 100 284 69 84 170 133 272 5660

Not stated

Total 0 0 0 3098 3099 1655 12 3 180 254 448 288 50 464 798 3 52 0 0 632 0 0 0 0 329 7006

110 82 19 11 748 11 960 11 727 159 65 1822 2646 4694 2722 573 4842 8143 274 194 5 100 4249 77 87 176 140 1245 43 062

Source: ABS 2006 Census

Movement to urban areas Indigenous populations in the mainstream towns have generally increased since 1991, some towns more than others. For instance: • • • • •

Port Hedland: marginal increase (+5%) Karratha: major increase (+174%) Wickham; substantial increase (+84%) Onslow: marginal decline (-4%) Marble Bar: significant decline - closure of Pipunya (-72%)

2.5.5 Population growth The Pilbara Industries Community Council (PICC, 2008) currently provides the most accepted population forecasts for the Pilbara.

They are largely premised on forward estimates of resource industry expansion. This projection has been accepted by the WAPC as a medium-term working forecast. However, in the light

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of recent events affecting the global economy, there may be a need for a downward adjustment – at least in the short term.

The population projections in Figure 2.2 show the PICC projections to 2020 and an upwardly adjusted WAPC projection to 2031, as required by the state’s utility infrastructure providers.

The PICC projection suggests a regional resident population in excess of 55 000 by 2020. This is based on current conditions and an assessment of industry trends. The adjusted WAPC projection suggests a total resident population of 54 400 by 2031, which, taking into account current economic events may not seem too far off the mark.

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60000

Regional overview

Population

50000

20000 20000

Population Population

15000 15000 East East Pilbara PilbaraTown Town Central Central PIlbara PIlbaraTown Town West West Pilbara PilbaraTown Town

Figure 2.3: Pilbara population projections: 2006-2020 (PICC)

00 1966 1966 1971 1971 1976 1976 1981 1981 1986 1986 1991 1991 1996 1996 2001 2001 2006 2006 Population

Figure 2.2: Pilbara population growth: 2006–2031

Population Population

80000

FIFO Population

70000

Resident Population

60000

Year Year

50000 40000 30000 20000

60000 60000

10000

50000 50000

0 WAPC WAPC PICC PICC

30000 30000

PICC

30000

The Pilbara continues to have a large fly-in fly-out workforce, with 10000 estimates suggesting that the Pilbara’s fly-in fly-out workforce is currently 0over 5000 persons. It has been estimated by PICC that 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031 the Pilbara fly-in fly-out workforce Yearcould increase significantly by 2010–2015 (Figure 2.3).

5000 5000

40000 40000

WAPC

FIy-in20000 fly-out population

Figure 2.1: Pilbara Towns Population Growth: 1966–2006

10000 10000

40000

2006

2010

Year

2015

2020

20000 20000 10000 10000 00

2006 2006

2011 2011

2016 2016

Year Year

2021 2021

2031 2031

FIFO FIFO Population Population Resident Resident Population Population

80000 80000 70000 70000 Population Population

2026 2026

60000 60000 50000 50000 40000 40000 30000 30000 20000 20000 10000 10000 00

2006 2006

2010 2010

Year Year

2015 2015

2020 2020

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Pilbrara Framework

The Pilbara environment

3. The Pilbara environment 3.1 Environmental values The Pilbara is an arid region endowed with areas of spectacular raw beauty – both on land and offshore. It has many natural heritage values that are derived from the land and the ocean. It is one of the most ancient of places.

3.1.1 Terrestrial values The region’s terrestrial natural heritage values are drawn from the landforms, vegetation and fauna of the coastal plain; the central tablelands; and the desert country of the east Pilbara.

Coastal plain The Pilbara coastal plain has a total area of 31 479 km2, encompassing whole or part of four bio-subregions. It is characterised by low relief headlands, deltas, barrier islands and

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associated lagoons with extensive development of mangroves, backed by wide tidal flats and long stretches of sandy beach or rocky shoreline. The beaches provide nesting sites for turtles and sea birds.

Pilbara tablelands The Pilbara tablelands has a total area of 180 696 km2, encompassing whole or part of five bio-subregions. The tablelands are characterised by the high, dissected Hamersley Range to the south; the undulating granite and basalt uplands of the Chichester Range to the north; separated by the salt marshes and incised gorges of the Fortescue alluvial plain.

Wetlands: The Pilbara has a variety of seasonal, intermittent and permanent wetlands. Six of the region’s wetlands have been identified as being of national significance; these include the Fortescue Marsh, Millstream Pools and Karijini Gorges. A further 12 are of regional significance.

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The Pilbara environment

Because of the aridity of the region, permanent and semipermanent pools are of high ecological value. These pools and wetlands sustain populations of terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna during times of drought and are refuge areas from which biota expand during times of flood. Pools and wetlands have significant cultural value to the local Indigenous people.

For instance, stories of ‘The Dreaming’ from the Millstream area provide the basis for the cultural practices of the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma people.

Pilbara desert country The Pilbara desert country (Great Sandy, Little Sandy and Gibson Deserts) has a total area of 297 577 km2. It is characterised by gently undulating uplands, supporting open hummock grasslands with scattered trees, drained by an ancient drainage system comprising extensive salt lake chains. These include: Mandora Marsh, Dragon Tree Soak, Salt Creek (inland mangroves), Rudall River, as well as various soaks and rock-holes. The region has significant wilderness values – drawn from this most ancient of landscapes.

3.1.2 Coastal and marine values The Pilbara offshore waters have a total surface area of 24 657 km2, comprising two marine regions – Pilbara near-shore and Pilbara offshore. These waters contain a large number of offshore islands, which are significant as nesting sites for turtles and seabirds, as well as being culturally significant due to the presence of rock art. These include: the Serrurier Island Group; Thevenard Island; Mangrove Islands; the Great Sandy Island Reserve (26 islands); Barrow Islands; the Lowendal Islands; the Montebello Islands; and the Dampier Archipelago (including Angel, Delambre, Dolphin, Enderby and Gidley).

The coastal waters of the North West are ecologically complex and diverse. Their seabed habitats support the highest marine biodiversity recorded anywhere in the world. The Pilbara’s tropical waters are inhabited by a high diversity of marine fauna species.

There are four species of turtle that nest in the sandy foredunes of the offshore islands and the mainland, including the rare and endangered loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). Six species of whales and three species of dolphins are regularly sighted. The dugong, a rare and endangered marine mammal, also inhabits the coastal waters.

The North West Shelf is also the most economically significant land or sea region in Australia. With rapid growth of marine industries across a range of sectors, the potential for conflict between different and competing uses is increasing.

state. The area is also rich in aboriginal heritage sites and cultural values. The Burrup Peninsula contains the world’s richest known concentration of rock art and as such, is a conservation resource of international significance.

Off-shore islands: There are approximately 200 islands in the waters adjacent to the Pilbara and Gascoyne coastline. The islands vary in size and form, from Barrow Island (200 km2) to small rocky islets and coral cays. The islands support a variety of flora and fauna and accommodate a range of land uses, including recreation, conservation and oil, gas and mining leases. Many of the of the islands are vested as reserves.

Turtle nesting: Turtle nesting is an important conservation value in the north-west of the state generally, and several areas of the Pilbara coastline and islands are turtle nesting habitats in the months between November and April. Munda Beach is an important nesting area for flatback turtles, a threatened species.

Most turtles nest on offshore islands. The Munda Beach rookery is one of the largest for the flatback turtle in the state, with several hundred female turtles laying their eggs at this site each year.

Mangroves: The Pilbara region is home to several species of mangrove. Mangroves act as nursery, feeding and breeding grounds, and as buffer zones against wave action, thereby reducing erosion and storm surge damage to coastal areas. They are considered an integral part of coastal and marine processes.

Several of these habitats are under threat from port development.

3.2 Pilbara bioregions The Pilbara encompasses seven bioregions – whole or in part.

Based on the Interim Bio-geographical Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA), these bioregions are areas defined by common natural characteristics, such as vegetation types, geology and landforms.

They include: Pilbara (all); Great Sandy Desert (large part); Little Sandy Desert (small part); Gibson Desert (small part); Gascoyne (small part); Carnarvon (small part); and Dampierland (very small coastal strip).

Within these bio-geographical regions, there are a total of 15 subregions (Table 3.1). These regions support some of the richest reptile fauna in the world. The main vegetation type is hummock grassland, and there are important wetland and mangrove communities. Additionally, the Dampier archipelago, made up of a series of near-shore islands off the Pilbara coast, is home to a diverse marine environment, including the largest population of hawksbill turtles in the world.

Burrup Peninsula: The Burrup Peninsula is 60 km2 in extent and has significant conservation and environmental values. The peninsula is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and provides an undisturbed habitat for many species endemic to the Pilbara. Much of the peninsula remains in a relatively untouched

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Table 3.1: Pilbara bio-subregions Pilbara Sub-Region Total Subregion Area (ha) PIL1: Chichester 9 044 560 PIL2: Fortescue Plains 2 041 914 PIL3: Hamersley 6 215 092 PIL4: Roebourne 2 008 983 CAR1: Cape Range 2 547 911 CAR2: Wooramel 6 667 540 GAS1: Ashburton 4 039 387 GAS3: Augustus 10 697 739 LSD1: Rudall 1 078 070 LSD2: Trainor 11 114 705 GD1: Lateritic Plain 14 038 333 GD2: Dune Field 3 198 464 GSD1: McLarty 13 173 266 GSD2: MacKay 18 636 695 LD2: Pindanland 5 198 904

Dominant Land Use

Ecosystems at Risk Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) None identified Ethel Gorge stygobiont community Themada grasslands None identified Cameron Cave Troglobitic community Hypersaline microbial communities None identified None identified None identified None identified None identified None identified Organic mound spring community None identified None identified in region

Grazing, aboriginal land Grazing, UCL Grazing, UCL Grazing, aboriginal land Grazing, conservation Grazing, UCL Grazing, UCL Grazing, UCL Conservation UCL, crown reserve UCL, grazing Grazing, aboriginal land UCL, Crown reserve UCL, Conservation Grazing, UCL

Stress Class 4 4 6 3 3 3 4 3 6 6 6 6 5 5 6

Note: Continental Stress Class abbreviated to ‘Stress Class’. UCL = unallocated crown land Source: Kendrick, P (2001); Kendrick P & McKenzie, N (2001); Kendrick, P & Stanley, F (2001)

Continental stress class ‘Continental stress class’ is a method of describing landscape health in Australia at bioregional scales (Morgan, 2001). There are six continental stress classes, with Class 1 containing the most stressed regions, and Class 6 the least stressed and therefore most healthy. The classification takes into account a variety of indicators of landscape health such as: the level of reservation; the extent, condition, connectivity, and rate of clearing of native vegetation; changes to soil and hydrological conditions; the presence of feral plants and animals; the presence of threatened species and ecological communities; threats such as dryland salinity; and fire regime.

In the Pilbara bioregion, the more urbanised Roebourne subregion is judged to be the most stressed (Class 3), while the Hamersley subregion is the least stressed (Class 6). The EPA notes that continental stress is under-represented in some Pilbara subregions, especially those impacted by frequent and extensive fires, introduced species and overgrazing (EPA 2007).

(Table 3.2). The coastal plain contains the urbanised areas of Port Hedland, Nickol Bay and Onslow.

Port Hedland: The vegetation inland from the coast consists mainly of tree and shrub steppe communities of Acacia translucens and Triodia grasslands on red soils. Nearer the coast are large areas of hyper-saline mudflats with little vegetation cover other than occasional samphire communities. These mudflats are bordered by halophytic complexes of chenopods and grasses that merge with acacia shrub steppe on higher areas. Dense mangrove communities, mostly Avicennia and Rhizophora, fringe the river and tidal creek deltas. acacia, eucalyptus and Triodia dominate the riparian vegetation away from the coast.

3.2.1 Coastal plain and offshore islands

Nickol Bay: The flora of the Burrup Peninsula is extremely varied, with a high species diversity. Triodia hummock grasslands are common with isolated tall dense stands of acacia in damp watercourses and low-lying areas. Mangroves occur in sandy embayments backed by acacia shrubland. The fauna of the peninsula includes 20 terrestrial mammal species and 121 birds.

The herpetofauna (47 known species) includes a number of species endemic to the Pilbara region. In general, the remainder of the Nickol Bay subregion has been subjected to significant human disturbances, including salt pond construction. Cattle graze the area.

The coastal zones and creeks feature mangrove communities.

Tussock grasslands of Eragrostis xerophila and the non-native Cenchrus ciliaris, Triodia hummock grassland, acacia shrub steppe with Triodia grasses and acacia savannah cover the inland areas

Onslow: The vegetation of the Onslow subregion away from the coastal areas is shrub on sand hills and clay pans. Acacia and hakea are the main shrubs, the steppe groundcover is Triodia and there are occasionally small trees of Eucalyptus sp. Large

These bio-subregions have been grouped in the following planning subregions: coastal plain and offshore islands; tablelands and desert country.

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areas of hypersaline tidal mudflats preclude the growth of larger vegetation on the coast. These are interspersed with mangrove communities of Avicennia marina and samphire communities of Arthrocnemum.

Pilbara coastal waters: WA’s coastal waters extend three nautical miles (5.5km) seaward from the high water mark. They have a total area of 24657km2, accounting for 21% of the state’s coastal waters.

The islands support a diverse fauna of mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. Some are inhabited by rare or endangered species that have become extinct on the mainland, through non-native predator pressure and habitat destruction. Feral cats, rats and mice have colonised some islands and threaten the viability of populations of some native species.

Montebello and Barrow Islands: The largest island group, these have a complex seabed and island topography, including sheltered lagoons, channels, beaches and cliffs. This complexity has resulted in a myriad of different habitats, supported by high sediment and water quality. These habitats include sub-tidal coral reefs, macro-algal and seagrass communities, sub-tidal soft-bottom communities, rocky shores and intertidal reef platforms, which support a rich diversity of invertebrates and finfish. The mangrove communities are considered to be globally significant, since they occur in lagoons and offshore islands.

The islands are important breeding areas for several species of marine turtles and seabirds. Humpback whales migrate between the islands and dugongs visit the shallow warm waters. The majority of the waters of the Montebello/Barrow Islands region are in a pristine condition (DEC 2007).

Table 3.2: Roebourne bio-subregion (PIL4) Description: Quaternary alluvial and older colluvial coastal and subcoastal plains with a grass savannah of mixed bunch and hummock grasses, and dwarf shrub steppe of Acacia stellaticeps or A. pyrifolia and A. inaequilatera. Uplands are dominated by Triodia Area: 20 090 km2 hummock grasslands. Ephemeral drainage lines support Eucalyptus victrix or Corymbia hamersleyana woodlands. Samphire, Sporobolus and mangal occur on marine alluvial flats and river deltas. Resistant linear ranges of basalts occur across the coastal plains, with minor exposures of granite. Islands are either Quaternary sand accumulations, or composed of basalt or limestone, or combinations of any of these three. Climate is arid (semi-desert) tropical with highly variable rainfall, falling mainly in summer. Cyclonic activity is significant, with several systems affecting the coast and hinterland annually.

Dominant land uses: Grazing - native pastures, aboriginal lands and reserves, conservation, mining leases, urban.

Continental stress class: 3 Bio-subregion values: Special Features: Offshore islands of PIL4 are considered in the following groups; Dampier Archipelago, islands between Cape Preston and Onslow, islands between Cape Lambert and Hedland, islands off Poissonnier Point, and Bedout Island.

• Offshore islands, Dampier Archipelago (from Delambre to Eaglehawk). Geologically diverse (sand, limestone, basalt and granite, in various combinations). Vegetation generally Spinifex longifolius near beaches, and Triodia hummock grasslands elsewhere. Scattered Acacia coriacea, Bivenosa and A. pyrifolia. Ficus brachypoda, Brachychiton acuminatus and Terminalia canescens associated with rockpiles. Large islands have E. victrix along ephemeral drainage lines. Legendre is the only large limestone island in this part of the Pilbara, and appears to contain a limited karst system (small sinkholes occur on the island). Abundant mammal and reptile fauna.

• Offshore islands, Dampier to Onslow (from North East Regnard to Serrurier). Most are sandy, sometimes on a limestone base.

Vegetation usually coastal species (Spinifex longifolius, Acacia coriacea, A. bivenosa etc), with some Triodia inland. Seabird nesting.

• Islands between Cape Lambert to Hedland. Many are sandy (Weerdee, Downes, Ronsard), sometimes on a limestone base, while Depuch is almost entirely basalt. Vegetation usually coastal species (Spinif longifolius, Acacia coriacea, A. bivenosa etc), with some Triodia inland on larger islands.

• Islands off Poissonnier Point (Little Turtle and North Turtle). Nesting seabirds.

• Bedout Island. Sandy island on limestone substrate. High-value seabird nesting island.

• Burrup Peninsula. Geologically simple (mainly basalts, some granite and coastal sands), but with relatively high and complex relief. A few near permanent fresh water rockholes, fed by seepages.

• Cane River (Peedamulla) swamp (Cyperaceae) community. A unique community of seasonally inundated coolibah (E. victrix) over a mixed sedgeland comprised mainly of Cyperaceae, one of which may be undescribed (Fimbristylis sp. aff. microcarya), with Cyperus scariosus, C. vaginatus, C. carinatus and C. blakeanus. Relatively large in extent (approximately 500 Ha), the swamp is threatened by grazing, erosion and weeds (buffel, mesquite). Longer-term, changes in the flow patterns of the Cane River may also endanger the swamp.

High species and ecosystem diversity: • Burrup Peninsula: Provides high habitat diversity for plants, and displays high species diversity for Camaenid landsnails.

Conservation reserves: PIL4 contains parts of Millstream–Chichester National Park, Cane River/Mount Minnie/ Barlee Range conservation park and many island nature reserves.

Ecosystems at risk: There are no Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) in PIL4.

Source: Developed from Kendrick & Stanley (2001)

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3.2.2 Tablelands The tablelands are made up of a range of landscapes that include: the high, dissected Hamersley Range; the undulating granite and basalt uplands of the Chichester Range; the wide plains of the upper Fortescue and the incised gorges of the lower Fortescue; and the undulating uplands of the Ashburton. The tableland’s vegetation is predominantly tree steppe of Eucalyptus brevolia and Triodia wiseana association. Shrubs of Acacia, Cassia and

Grevillea and a small mallee of Eucalyptus gamophylla are also features of the subregion. In the valley plains, a mulga formation of Acacia aneura occurs. On the grass plains with red cracking clays, Astrebla spp is dominant. Tables 3.3 to 3.6 summarise the salient biodiversity characteristics of the key tablelands bio-subregions: Chichester, Fortescue Plains, Hamersley and Ashburton.

Table 3.3: Chichester bio-subregion (PIL1) Description: The Chichester subregion comprises the northern section of the Pilbara Craton. Undulating Archaean granite and basalt plains include significant areas of basaltic ranges. Plains support a shrub steppe characterised by Acacia inaequilatera over Triodia wiseana (formerly Triodia Area: 90 446 km2 pungens) hummock grasslands, while Eucalyptus leucophloia tree steppes occur on ranges. The climate is semi-desert-tropical and receives 300 mm of rainfall annually. Drainage occurs to the north via numerous rivers (eg. De Grey, Oakover, Nullagine, Shaw, Yule, Sherlock).

Dominant land uses: Grazing – native pastures, aboriginal lands and reserves, UCL and crown reserves, conservation and mining leases Continental stress class: 4 Bio-subregion values: Special features: Rare features include the Ripon Hills sinkhole, Meentheena carbonate stromatolite fossils (also stromatolite fossils at North Pole and elsewhere), geological complexity of the Marble Bar – Nullagine mineral province Rare vertebrates: Include Schedule 1 species mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda), spectacled hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes conspicillatus leichardti), bilby (Macrotis lagotis), orange leaf-nosed bat (Rhinonicteris aurantius), and princess parrot (Polytelis alexandrae). Species listed under Schedule 4 of the WA Wildlife Conservation Act include Major Mitchell’s cockatoo (Cacatua leadbeateri), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Pilbara olive python (Liasis olivaceus barroni). Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis and other critical weight range mammals, arid zone populations of ghost bat (Macroderma gigas), north-western long-eared bat (Nyctophilus bifax daedalus) and little north-western free-tailed bat (Mormopterus loriae cobourgensis) are also significant in the subregion Rare flora: Species of subregional significance include Livistona alfredii populations in the Chichester escarpment (Sherlock River drainage) High species and ecosystem diversity: • hummock grassland reptile and small mammal communities • cracking clay communities of the Chichester Range and Mungaroona Range Conservation reserves: PIL1 contains Millstream–Chichester National Park, Meentheena Conservation Park and Mungaroona Nature Reserve Ecosystems at risk: There are no Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) in PIL1 Source: Developed from Kendrick & McKenzie (2001)

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Dominant land uses: The dominant land use in the tablelands is cattle grazing on native pastures. Other uses include : UCL, aboriginal land, conservation and in the cases of the Hamersley and Chichester bio-subregions – mining.

Table 3.4: Fortescue Plains bio-subregion (PIL2) Description: Alluvial plains and river frontage. Extensive salt marsh, mulga-bunch grass, and short grass communities on alluvial plains in the east.

Deeply incised gorge systems in the western (lower) part of the drainage. River gum woodlands fringe the drainage lines. Northern limit Area: 20 419 km2 of mulga (Acacia aneura). An extensive calcrete aquifer (originating within a palaeo-drainage valley) feeds numerous permanent springs in the central Fortescue, supporting large permanent wetlands with extensive stands of river gum and cadjeput Melaleuca woodlands.

Climatic conditions are semi-desert tropical, with average rainfall of 300 mm, falling mainly in summer cyclonic events. Drainage occurs to the north-west.

Dominant land uses: Grazing - native pastures; UCL and Crown reserves; conservation; aboriginal land (lease).

Continental stress class: 4 Bio-subregion values: Special features: All are features associated with the Fortescue River.

• Millstream wetlands: Extensive permanent spring-fed streams, pools and river flow that extend for up to 40 km or more below the springs. Large areas of wetland community, including large, deep (up to 2 km long and 15+m deep) riverine pools, springs, riffle streams, marshes and swamps. Extensive areas of cadjeput and river gum forest. A very diverse aquatic invertebrate community, particularly Odonata (dragon and damsel flies), and a relatively large freshwater fish fauna.

Supports large stands of Livistona alfredii, a species restricted mainly to the Fortescue Valley around Millstream.

• Millstream aquifer: An extensive calcrete aquifer, lying between the Hamersley and Chichester Ranges, and formed through in situ deposition within an ancient river drainage basin. The present aquifer is approximately 400 km2 in area (50 km long with a calcrete thickness > 30 metres). The aquifer is highly transmissive. The Fortescue River flows over part of the aquifer, and recharge is primarily during floods. Numerous springs discharge along the northern lip of the aquifer, where either the Fortescue River or associated streams have eroded into the water carrying calcrete. The aquifer is known to contain a stygofauna. Little is known of this fauna.

• Fortescue marsh: An extensive, episodically inundated samphire marsh, approximately 100 km long and 10 km wide. Constricted at the western (downstream) end by the Goodiadarrie Hills, it is possible that the upper Fortescue is prevented from flowing through into the lower Fortescue drainage except in extreme rainfall events. These hills effectively separate the Fortescue into two separate drainages. The Fortescue marsh represents the terminus for the upper Fortescue. Episodically supports immense water-bird breeding.

Rare vertebrates: Includes: bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and orange leaf-nosed bat (Rhinonicteris aurantius) Rare flora: Includes: Eremophila pilosa ms, E. spongiocarpa ms, Goodenia pallida, Swainsona sp. Millstream (AA Mitchell PRP 798), Euphorbia drummondii subsp. Pilbara (BG Thomson 3503), Gonocarpus ephemerus and Ischaemum albovillosum.

High species and ecosystem diversity: • Odonata species at Millstream.

• Stygofaunal crustacean within calcrete environments, at Millstream and in the upper Fortescue Conservation Reserves: PIL2 contains small portions of two national parks, Millstream–Chichester National Park and Karijini National Park.

Ecosystems at Risk: Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs): Ethel Gorge aquifer stygobiont community Source: Developed from Kendrick (2001)

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Conservation: The current area designated as conservation reserves (1458 km2) represents 4.6% of the coastal plain area. To achieve the target 15% conservation quota, this would need to be expanded by 3264km2 (Table 3.7).

Table 3.5: Hamersley bio-subregion (PIL3) Description: The southern section of the Pilbara craton. Mountainous area of Proterozoic sedimentary ranges and plateaux, dissected by gorges (basalt, shale and dolerite). Mulga low woodland over bunch grasses on fine textured soils in Area: 62 151 km2 valley floors, and Eucalyptus leucophloia over Triodia brizoides on skeletal soils of the ranges. The climate is semidesert tropical, average 300 mm rainfall, usually in summer cyclonic or thunderstorm events. Winter rain is not uncommon. Drainage into the Fortescue (to the north), the Ashburton to the south, or the Robe to the west.

Dominant land uses: Grazing, UCL and Crown reserves, native pastures, conservation, mining, urban.

Continental stress class: 6 Bio-subregion values: Rare features: • Gorges of Hamersley Range, particularly those of Karijini National Park. Deeply incised gorges, up to 100 m deep, containing extensive permanent springfed streams and pools. Contain relictual undescribed Bothriembryon sp., reptiles (Lerista zietzi), relictual populations of plants are highly likely. Spectacular exposures of banded iron formation, and many waterfalls and gorge features.

• Palm Spring, Duck Creek. Large stand of Livistona alfredii palms, growing along Duck Creek in the vicinity of a shallow calcrete aquifer and associated springs. Has a largely undescribed troglofauna associated with the calcrete.

• Themeda grasslands of Pilbara Region. Grassland plains dominated by the perennial Themeda (kangaroo grass) and many annual herbs and grasses (Hamersley station grass plain).

• Red Hill station mulga stands. Very isolated areas of mulga, in the extreme west of the subregion. No other biological information, as these patches have never been examined before.

High species and ecosystem diversity: • Acacia, Triodia, Ptilotus, Corymbia, and Sida species within the Hamersley Range.

• Stygofaunal crustacean fauna within calcrete environments. So far poorly known, but indications are for a significantly diverse fauna.

Conservation reserves: PIL3 contains virtually all of Karijini National Park and part of the Cane River Conservation Park. There are no other areas of conservation estate.

Ecosystems at risk: Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs): Themeda grasslands of Pilbara Region. Grassland plains dominated by the perennial Themeda (kangaroo grass) and many annual herbs and grasses.

Source: Developed from Kendrick (2001)

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Ecosystems at risk: Include the Ethel Gorge aquifer stygobiont community in the Fortescue Plains bio-subregion (Table 3.4) and the grassland plains dominated by the perennial Themeda (kangaroo grass) in the Hamersley bio-subregion (Table 3.5) Table 3.6: Ashburton bio-subregion (GAS1) Description: Mountainous range country divided by broad flat valleys, associated with Ashburton River catchment of the Ashburton basin (shales, sandstones and conglomerates), and the north-western part of Bangemall basin (sandstone, shale, carbonates). Mulga/ Area: 40 394 km2 snakewood low woodlands occur on shallow earthy loams over hardpan on the plains, with mulga scrub and Eremophila shrublands on the shallow stony loams of the ranges. Low mixed shrublands on hills with other areas supporting large areas of Triodia. Arid (desert) climate with bimodal (winter and summer) rainfall, with tropical monsoon influences.

Dominant land uses: Grazing native pastures, UCL and Crown leases, conservation.

Continental stress class: 4 Bio-subregion values: Rare features: • Gorges of Barlee Range Nature Reserve: Particularly those of Kookhabinna Creek. Deeply incised gorges, up to 100 m deep, containing extensive permanent spring-fed streams and pools. Contain relictual species: an undescribed Bothriembryon landsnai Pseudophryne douglasi (a frog), plants (Wurmbea saccata), and Rhinonicteris aurantius (a bat). Spectacular exposures of banded sedimentary formations, and many waterfalls and gorge features. This is the only area within GAS1 where any intensive biology has been undertaken.

• Yadjiyugga claypan: A large ephemeral claypan, with open coolibah woodland (Eucalyptus victrix) over bunch grass (Eriachne benthamii) and samphire (Tecticornia verrucosa). Also contains an undescribed Peplidium. Previously severely degraded by stock and donkeys, it has been protected by exclusion fencing since 1996. Recovery has been very successful. This flora assemblage is unique to the GAS1 subregion.

High species and ecosystem diversity: • There is high Eremophila diversity in GAS1 • Stygofaunal crustacean fauna within calcrete environments. So far unknown, but indications are for a significant fauna Conservation reserves: GAS1 contains the Barlee Range Nature Reserve Ecosystems at risk: There are no Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) in PIL4.

Source: Developed from Kendrick (2001)

Conservation: The current area designated as conservation reserves (15 990 km2) represents 8.8% of the tablelands area. This is the largest proportion in the region. However, to achieve the desired 15% conservation target, this would need to be expanded by 11 114 km2 (Table 3.7).

Table 3.7: Conservation reserve quotas: terrestrial Planning Area Total Area km2 Coastal plain 31 479 Tablelands 180 696 Desert Country 297 577 Total Pilbara 509 752

Target Conservation Reserve Area (15%) km2 4722 27 104 44 637 76 463

Existing Conservation Reserve Area km2 1458 15 990 12 932 30 380

Additional Conservation Reserve Area Required km2 3264 11 114 31 705 46 083

Source: DPI Mapping & Spatial Data 2008

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3.2.3 Desert country The desert country is characterised by gently undulating uplands, supporting open hummock grasslands with scattered trees, drained by an ancient river system, comprising extensive chains of salt lakes. The principal lakes are: Lake Dora (fed by Rudall River), Lake Waukarlycarly, Percival Lakes and Lake Tobin.

Most of the East Pilbara sub region is a shrub steppe grading to a tree steppe. The ground cover is predominantly Triodia, the shrubs hakea, acacia and grevillea. The trees are Acacia aneura, Owenia reticulate and eucalyptus.

Table 3.8: McLarty bio-subregion (GSD1) Description: This is mainly tree steppe grading to shrub steppe in south; comprising open hummock grassland of Triodi pungens and Triodia schinzii with scattered trees of Owenia reticulata and bloodwoods, and shrubs of Acacia spp, Grevillea wickhamii and G. refracta, Area: 131 733km2 on Quaternary red longitudinal sand dune fields overlying Jurassic and Cretaceous sandstones of the Canning and Armadeus basins. Casuarina decaisneana (desert oak) occurs in the far east of the region. Gently undulating lateritised uplands support shrub steppe such as Acacia pachycarpa shrublands over Triodia pungens hummock grass. Calcrete and evaporite surfaces are associated with occluded palaeo-drainage systems that traverse the desert; these include extensive salt lake chains with samphire low shrublands, and Melaleuca glomerata - M. lasiandra shrublands. It includes the Mandora Paleoriver system. Red-brown dunefields with finer texture than further south. Includes gravely surfaces of Anketell ridge along its northern margin. The subregion is arid tropical with summer rain and is influenced by monsoonal activity. Morning fogs are recorded during the dry season.

Dominant land uses: UCL and Crown reserves Continental stress class: 5 Bio-subregion values: Special features: • the very complex and diverse wetland system associated with the Mandora marsh area • most inland distribution of mangroves (Avicennia marina) in Australia. This species has been recorded 60 km inland along the Mandora marsh area and is separated from the coast.

• Salt Creek within the Mandora marsh area is quite unique particularly with respect to its relationship with other wetlands within the area. This relationship is not understood • The mound springs within the Mandora marsh area and in particular springs such as Eil Eil with its distinctive tall Melaleuca leucadendra closed forest.

• Dragon Tree Soak with its particular vegetation association • the series of interdunal ephemeral wetlands which are dominated by coolibah (Eucalyptus victrix) High species and ecosystem diversity: All freshwater mound spring and soak systems clearly exhibiting an array of vegetation assemblages are gradually being studied to determine the level of faunal complexity.

Conservation reserves: GSD1 contains the Dragon Tree Soak Nature Reserve Ecosystems at risk: Threatened ecological communities (TECs): Organic mound spring community of Dragon Tree Soak, Great Sandy Desert.

Source: Developed from Kendrick & McKenzie (2001)

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Dominant land use: the dominant land uses in the desert country are: UCL and Crown reserves; aboriginal lands and reserves; conservation; and mining leases.

Conservation: the current area designated as conservation reserves (12932 km2) represents 4.3 % of the desert country area.

To achieve the target 15% conservation quota, this would need to be expanded by 31 705 km2 (Table 3.7).

Ecosystems at risk: include the organic mound spring community of Dragon Tree Soak, Great Sandy Desert (Table 3.8).

Table 3.9: MacKay bio-subregion (GSD2) Description: Tropical inland ‘red-centre’ desert. Includes ‘Percival’ and ‘Auld’ palaeoriver systems. Mainly tree steppe grading to shrub steppe in south; comprising open hummock grassland of Triodia pungens and Triodi schinzii with scattered trees of Owenia reticulata and Area: 186,367km2 bloodwood (Corymbia spp.), and shrubs of Acacia spp., Grevillea wickhamii and G. refracta, on Quaternary red longitudinal sand dune fields overlying Jurassic and Cretaceous sandstones of the Canning and Armadeus basins. Casuarina decaisneana (desert oak) occurs in the south and east of the region. Gently undulating lateritised uplands support shrub steppe such as Acacia pachycarpa shrublands over Triodia pungens hummock grass. Calcrete and evaporite surfaces are associated with occluded palaeo-drainage systems that traverse the desert; these include extensive salt lake chains with samphire low shrublands, and Melaleuca glomerata - M. lasiandra shrublands.

Monsoonal influences are apparent in the north-western sector of this region. The climate is aridtropical with summer rainfall.

Dominant land uses: UCL, conservation, aboriginal lands and reserves, mining leases.

Continental stress class: 5 Bio-subregion values: Special features: Rudall River draining into Lake Dora: The only example of an arid zone river, with near-permanent wetlands along its course, flowing from uplands across the desert and into a major salt lake within the Great Sandy Desert.

Wetlands: Small permanent wetlands associated with palaeo-drainage lines, now occupied by salt lakes. These small freshwater springs and seepages are locally significant water sources, and have high biological and cultural significance. Eg. Percival Lakes, Lake Dora, Joanna Spring.

Rockpools: Small permanent rockhole wetlands associated with ranges and uplands. These are locally significant water sources, and are of high biological and cultural significance.

Canning Stock Route small artificial surface water sources: Many are in disrepair, but there is an active program of refurbishment underway, and many are open again. Sometimes locally significant sources of water.

High species and ecosystem diversity: High numbers of arid zone reptiles, particularly skink lizards (genera Ctenotus and Lerista).

Conservation reserves: GSD2 contains part of Rudall River National Park and McLarty Hills Nature Reserve Ecosystems at Risk: There are no Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) in GSD2.

Source: Developed from Kendrick & McKenzie (2001)

3.3 State of the pilbara environment The quality of the Pilbara environment is generally healthy. There are, however, a number of localised issues that require monitoring and potentially remedial action.

3.3.1 Biodiversity conservation Conservation reserves: Conservation reserves in the Pilbara include: three national parks, a conservation park, two nature reserves and three new reserves (Table 3.10). In addition, the region has the following marine reserves: • Dampier Archipelago nature reserves; • Montebello/Barrow Island marine conservation reserve; and • Dampier Archipelago/Cape Preston marine conservation reserve.

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Table 3.10: Pilbara conservation reserves Type of Reserve Name of Reserve National parks Karijini National Park Millstream-Chichester National Park Rudall River National Park Conservation parks Cane River Conservation Park Nature reserves Mungaroona Range Nature Reserve Barlee Range Nature Reserve New reserves Reserve Ex. Meentheena Station Reserve Ex. Mount Minnie Station Reserve Ex. Nanutarra Station Total area:

Area km2 6242 2381 12 933 1479 1058 1049 2203 1080 695 29 120

Source: DPI Mapping and Spatial Data 2008

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Compared to other regions in Western Australia, the Pilbara has a low representation of its bioregions in nature reserves, having just under six per cent of its land area in conservation areas. Out of its 15 bio-subregions, seven are not represented in the conservation estate at all and 10 of the 15 are represented at less than 5% of their area. To achieve the 15% representation target, an additional 46 080km2 would need to be added to the region’s terrestrial conservation reserves (Table 3.7).

Principles of the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity 1. Biological diversity is best conserved in-situ.

2. Although all levels of government have a clear responsibility in the conservation of biological diversity, the cooperation of conservation groups, resource users, Indigenous peoples, and the community in general is critical.

3. It is vital to anticipate, prevent and attack at source the causes of significant reduction or loss of biological diversity.

4. Processes for and decisions about the allocation and use of Australia’s resources should be efficient, equitable and transparent.

5. Lack of full knowledge should not be an excuse for postponing the action to conserve biological diversity.

6. The conservation of Australia’s biological diversity is affected by international activities and requires actions extending beyond Australia’s national jurisdiction.

7. Australians operating beyond our national jurisdiction should respect the principles of conservation and ecologically sustainable use of biological diversity and act in accordance with any relevant national or international laws.

8. Central to the conservation of Australia’s biological diversity is the establishment of a comprehensive and adequate system of ecologically viable protected areas integrated with the sympathetic management of all other areas, including agricultural and other resource production systems.

9. The close and traditional association of Australia’s Indigenous peoples with components of biological diversity should be recognised, as should the desirability of sharing equitably benefits arising from the innovative use of traditional knowledge of biological diversity.

Source: Environmental Protection Authority 2002

3.3.2 Air quality Particulates: According to the State of the Environment Report (EPA 2007), particulate levels in the Pilbara regularly exceed health standards. Particulate problems in the Pilbara are associated with bushfire, dust storms and some mining and port facility operations. A significant positive relationship exists between air pollutants and daily hospital admissions for respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease and respiratory hospitalisation of the elderly in particular. Particulates have been responsible for the majority of NEPM (National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure) exceedences recorded since 1998 (State of the Environment Report Report 2007 p35).

Oxides of nitrogen: The EPA has identified this is an emerging air quality issue. ‘Oxides of nitrogen’ (NOx) is a broad term used to 27

include nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), or mixtures of these compounds. They are all precursors of photochemical smog. Nitric oxide is a gas that oxidises in the atmosphere to form nitrogen dioxide, an odorous, brown, acidic and highly corrosive gas that can affect human health and the wider environment. Oxides of nitrogen are emitted by internal combustion engines, industrial and commercial boilers in power generation and from industrial combustion processes, with motor vehicle emissions being the major source in urban areas. Natural sources of nitrogen oxides are from lightning and oxidation of ammonia, but these constitute a very small proportion of overall atmospheric concentrations.

Monitoring for nitrogen oxides has also been conducted at Dampier and Karratha for the Pilbara Air Quality Study (Department of Environment, 2004) as well as Port Hedland (BHP Billiton, 2005).

Past monitoring has shown low nitrogen dioxide levels in these regions, below the NEPM standard. However, monitoring is no longer conducted at the Pilbara study sites, and data from industry sites is not readily available, so it is not possible to be certain the standard has been met in these areas in recent years. The Cumulative impact Study (SKM 2007) identified oxides of nitrogen as a developing issue in the Port of Port Hedland.

3.3.2 Marine water environments Degradation of marine environments The EPA has established guidelines for development proponents to protect benthic primary producer habitats from direct and indirect impacts of development proposals. Six categories have been established for ecological protection, each with different allowable ‘cumulative loss thresholds’ (ranging from 0-10%) depending on the ecological and conservation significance of the area (EPA, 2004, p169).

An example of cumulative mangrove habitat loss can be seen in Port Hedland. The development of port and salt industries in Port Hedland began in the 1960s, and there has been progressive and considerable loss since that time of habitat areas that were occupied by dense stands of mangroves. Mangrove communities act as nursery, feeding and breeding grounds, and as buffer zones against wave action, thereby reducing erosion and storm surge damage to coastal areas. If recently approved port projects proceed as planned, the cumulative loss of closed canopy mangrove habitat would be about 342 ha representing about 13% loss of the total extent of that habitat type. This would exceed the EPA’s habitat loss threshold for this habitat type.

Marine contamination Mollusc and sediment levels of heavy metals: Imposex (females developing male sexual organs) in shellfish is an indicator of marine tributyltin contamination over time, as it interferes with hormone production and causes higher testosterone levels. A North West study showed that molluscs at Dampier had a lower

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incidence of female imposex (0% to 54%) than Perth, despite having the highest tonnage of any port in WA and Australia. It is believed that tributyltin may break down or disperse more quickly in northern waters due to increased sunlight and water circulation (EPA 2007 p178/9).

Acid sulphate soils The risk of the presence of acid sulphate soils is a potential issue at Onslow, Dampier, the Nickol Bay area (Karratha, Point Sampson, Wickham, Cossack) and Port Hedland.

3.4 Impacts of climate change Over the last 100 years, there have been changes in Australia’s rainfall and temperature. There seems to be reasonable agreement among scientists that climate change is already affecting species and ecosystems. There is, however, uncertainty as to how the Pilbara landscapes will respond and what the specific implications for management may be. Of particular concern to the Pilbara landscape are: • climatic changes and their broad-scale impact on biodiversity patterns and productivity; • cyclonic patterns and extreme weather events; • water resources (availability for environmental needs and human usage); • coastal inundation and the impacts on coastal habitat, port and town communities and infrastructure; • fire frequency and behaviour; and • weed proliferation.

Impact on economic activity and community The Commonwealth Government Department of Climate Change has commissioned studies into the impact of climate change on

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the Pilbara, with a primary focus on resource development. The preliminary concerns underpinning these studies are: • a more severe cyclone regime, together with sea level rise, will impact (particularly) on the capacity of the oil and gas industry to maintain production and act as a disincentive to future investment; and • higher mean annual temperatures will have health impacts on vulnerable groups in the community (Department of Health, 2007).

It is anticipated that climate change will tend to exacerbate the likelihood and extent of storm surge inundation on low-lying ground in coastal areas. This has implications for the development of Port Hedland, the Karratha area and Onslow. Taking the increased storm surge risk into account, the current development of Pretty Pool in Port Hedland is predicated on a 50-year return period, rather than the 100-year return benchmark used previously.

The coastal and offshore oil and gas infrastructure is potentially at risk of significant damage and increased shut-down periods from increases in storm surge, higher winds, more intense cyclones, flooding, wave events and sea level rise. Damage to ports, shipping, oil and gas pipelines may threaten infrastructure performance, security and supply at significant cost to the economy and local communities. Although offshore platforms are designed to withstand extreme conditions, frequent storm periods can disrupt supply and affect the downtime and safety protocols for workers (Allen Consulting Group 2005). Long infrastructure lead times, significant amounts of private and public sector investment, and the long-lived nature of assets call for more explicit consideration of climate change factors in Australian government planning and approvals for oil and gas development.

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4. Regional infrastructure

4.1.1 Effective asset lives of mining towns

4.1 Overview The majority of the region’s urban infrastructure was constructed in the 1960s and 1970s. It is now reaching the end of its functional life. As the Pilbara has grown over the past decade, the already insufficient level of infrastructure provision in the region has fallen, relative to population size, to the extent that it is constraining economic productivity and impacting on the functionality of communities. There is, therefore, a compelling need to upgrade and replace much of the urban infrastructure within the region’s settlements.

Various agencies and organisations in the Pilbara, including all four local governments and major industry groups, have commissioned studies and surveys and identified a large set of major ‘hard’ and ‘community’ infrastructure projects designed to address this shortfall. Some of these projects have secured funding and are underway, more are at the planning stage, but the majority remain inspirational projects and concepts. The Pilbara Plan, being developed by the Pilbara Dialogue forum, is currently seeking to identify and prioritise these projects.

4.1.2 Investment in the region Planning for future need in the Pilbara is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. It is a region that has regularly experienced unpredicted fluctuations in growth due to its reliance on the commodities markets. The volatility of the global economy, changing population policies and climate change require caution and a focus on the fundamental projects necessary to meet the needs of the current and most likely permanent resident base.

There is a need to prioritise those projects that most directly address the goals of sustainable economic, social and environmental development, through principles such as shared services, appropriate policy incentives, and attention to basic infrastructure needs to sustain functional and viable communities.

To achieve this, future-proofing will require diversification of the region’s industrial base and the provision of facilities and services to foster quality lifestyles, that encourage people to become long-term residents. It also needs to be acknowledged that the indigenous population is already permanent and growing (Pilbara Dialogue 2008).

Infrastructure, by its nature, raises a number of complex public policy questions because: • While a shortage of infrastructure may restrict what an economy can produce, an oversupply of infrastructure is an inefficient use of scarce resources.

• Installing new infrastructure often involves long lead times.

• Infrastructure can generally be provided only in large units and usually involves high fixed costs, that once engaged are sunk.

• Investments in infrastructure assets are usually very long-lived and may be ‘stranded’ if they are overtaken by technological changes or market events.

• Many infrastructure assets have multiple users and it can be difficult to ensure that all users’ quantity, quality and price expectations are met.

• The productivity of infrastructure assets is significantly affected by the extent to which investment in infrastructure itself is consistent and coordinated with investment decisions being made by users.

4.2 Regional transport 4.2.1 Intra-regional movement Intra-regional movement is characterised by long distances, predominantly by road, since there are no non-resource company rail transport facilities nor intra-regional scheduled flights. Table 4.1 provides a summary of the road distances between the region’s settlements.

The Prime Minister’s Exports and Infrastructure Taskforce Commonwealth of Australia 2005

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The Pilbara Regional Council’s infrastructure audit in 2004 found that the infrastructure in many of the former mining towns had deteriorated at a faster rate than their regional equivalents. Since most of the mining towns were designed with a life expectancy of 30 years, the higher degradation rates are due to assets exceeding their design lives by up to 10 years. This poses a major problem in the normalisation process, where councils inherit urban assets that have already exceed their design life and are due for replacement and refurbishment. This is particularly the case in inland mining towns of Tom Price and Newman. The issue of costly urban infrastructure upgrades or replacement may influence whether to renew or abandon certain urban areas.

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Marble Bar

Newman

Nullagine

Onslow

Pannawonica

Paraburdoo

Point Samson

Port Hedland

Roebourne

Tom Price

20 454 585 538 340 203 575 77 261 59 496 69

434 565 518 320 207 555 57 241 39 476 49

296 112 721 608 512 414 203 395 433 409

184 706 807 446 545 466 526 367 537

745 702 487 498 297 479 408 490

205 362 363 538 343 379 355

427 243 425 223 422 235

536 510 515 79 528

221 19 457 449

202 431 211

437 11

449

Wickham

Karratha

Dampier Karratha Marble Bar Newman Nullagine Onslow Pannawonica Paraburdoo Point Samson Port Hedland Roebourne Tom Price Wickham

Dampier

Table 4.1: Intra-Regional Road Distances (km)

Source: Main Roads WA 2006

4.2.2 Road transport The Pilbara, putting aside the ‘tyranny of distance’, is easily accessible by road from Perth by two major highways - the Great Northern Highway and the North West Coastal Highway. The Pilbara road network consists of some 8593 kilometres of classified roads comprising: National Highway . . . . . . . . . 624 kilometres State roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1776 kilometres Local government roads. . 6193 kilometres The region’s primary road system comprises: • Great Northern Highway (Route 95) - an AusLink strategic corridor • North West Coastal Highway (H7) - a state strategic corridor • Nanutarra-Munjina Road (M29) • Marble Bar Road (M30) • Onslow Road (M49) The region also has an extensive network of private unsealed roads of variable standard, that provide access to pastoral areas, oil and mineral fields.

Traffic volumes Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) data for the region’s two primary road corridors indicate a significant increase in traffic volumes on both the Great Northern Highway and the Northwest Coastal Highway between 2001 and 2006 (Table 4.2). In the early 2000s a greater volume of traffic was carried on the Northwest

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Coastal Highway than on the Great Northern Highway, south of their intersection to the west of Port Hedland. By 2006 this situation had reversed with higher volumes using the Great Northern Highway.

Table 4.2: Main road traffic volume trends (‘000 AADT) Road Section 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 GNH: south of NWCH 213.2 212.2* 203.7 329.0 218.9 512.0 GNH: north of NWCH - 787.5 - 884.7 NWCH: east of 248.2* 248.2* 264.8 - 487.5 RoebourneWittenoom Rd NWCH: west of GNH 271.8* 271.8* - 491.4 491.4 AADT - Annual Average Daily Traffic * One way traffic x 2 GNH - Great Northern Highway NWCH - North West Coastal Highway Source: Main Roads WA 2007

Road freight transport Approximately 80% (1.86 million tonnes) of the Pilbara’s inputs are transported by road. However, only 3% (8 million tonnes) of the region’s outputs are transported by road. The balance is transported by rail.

Input freight Five distinct types of freight can be distinguished: • commodities that are required to produce the mining outputs (industrial inputs);

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• large-scale equipment and construction materials such as preassembled modules that are required to upgrade or build new industrial infrastructure in the Pilbara (project freight); • personal consumables: a broad range of commodities that are used by people that live (if only on a part-time basis) and work in the Pilbara; • construction materials required for building houses or community structures; and • commodities that are transported through the Pilbara and are coming from or going to places other than the Pilbara (transit freight).

Table 4.3: Iron ore mine input-output volumes: 2007 Company Mine RTIO - Hamersley RTIO - Hamersley RTIO - Hamersley RTIO - Hamersley RTIO - Hamersley RTIO - Hamersley RTIO - Hamersley RTIO - Hamersley RTIO - Hamersley RTIO - Robe River RTIO - Robe River BHPBIO BHPBIO BHPBIO BHPBIO BHPBIO BHPBIO BHPBIO Total

Channar Eastern Range Brockman Hope Downs Marandoo Mount Tom Price Paraburdoo Namuldi Yandicoogina Mesa J West Angeles Area C Mount Whaleback Jimblear Orebody 18 Orebody 23 Orebody 24 Yarrie/Nimingarra

In 2007, the industrial input freight transported by road to support Pilbara mining commodity production totalled 1 850 000 tonnes.

Of this, approximately 850 000 tonnes travelled to the Pilbara from Perth, 700 000 tonnes from Port Hedland and 300 000 tonnes from Dampier (Meyrick & Associates 2008).

Industrial inputs include materials such as acid, fuel, cyanide, quicklime, ammonia nitrate, explosives, dolomite and other chemical compounds for the production of outputs. The products produced in the Pilbara that require these inputs include: chromite, copper, gold, iron ore, LNG, manganese, nickel, salt and titanium. The total fuel requirement in the processing stage is imported through the Port Hedland and Dampier ports and distributed to the mining sites by road and rail.

Location

Input Volume ‘000 tonnes

Paraburdoo Paraburdoo Tom Price Newman Tom Price Tom Price Paraburdoo Tom Price Newman Pannawonica Newman Newman Newman Newman Newman Newman Newman Newman

28 18 22 65 34 73 14 14 101 84 70 118 61 37 28 28 28 6 829

Source: Meyrick & Associates 2008

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Output Volume ‘000 tonnes 10 000 6 000 8 000 23 000 12 000 26 000 5000 5000 35 000 29 000 24 000 41 000 22 000 13 000 10 000 10 000 10 000 2000 291 000

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Table 4.4: Total road input-output by location Input Volume* Location Tonnes Dampier (salt) 0 Karratha 747 000 Marble Bar 623 000 Newman 241 000 Nullagine 0 Onslow 11 000 Pannawonica 37 000 Paraburdoo 27 000 Port Hedland 0 Roebourne 102 000 Tom Price 64 000 Wickham 0 Total 1 852 000

Future traffic growth Output Volume tonnes 5 845 000 207 000 1 616 020 0 0 0 0 0 400 340 000 0 0 8 008 420

*Northbound road input volumes. Source: Meyrick & Associates 2008

Table 4.5: Total Pilbara road freight tasks: 2007-2030 (‘000 tonnes) 2007 2012 2018 2025 2030 Industrial inputs 1852 4210 4561 3499 3752 Project 97 136 205 270 329 Personal 61 62 66 68 70 Housing 26 21 18 17 Total northbound freight 2010 4434 4853 3855 4168 Southbound freight 1508 3326 3640 2891 3126 Transit (north and 1076 1238 1468 1734 1953 southbound) Commodity outputs 8 007 60 266 104 284 134486 156964 Total freight 12 601 69 264 114 245 142 966 166 211 Source: Meyrick & Associates 2008

The anticipated growth in resource development, economic activity, population and tourism in the Pilbara Region will generate a significant increase in transport demand, including heavy vehicle road freight, in the long term. The mix of regional traffic, particularly heavy vehicles, rail movements and local/tourist traffic will result in reduced safety, efficiency on the regional road network generally, as well as amenity in the major towns.

Planned highway investment Strong growth in the resource sector has been driving the need for urgent improvements on the Great Northern Highway between South Hedland and Port Hedland; on Port Hedland Highway; and on Dampier Highway between Karratha and the Burrrup Peninsula. Substantial investment in the the port (Port Hedland) is proposed and projected increases in rail traffic to the port will cause lengthy delays at level crossings. The port development will also give rise to substantial increases in the tonnages of minerals carried by road and the re-routing of road freight traffic. There will be a need for a major realignment of Great Northern Highway with grade separation at rail crossings.

Key Pilbara road investment priorities have been identified in Main Roads WA’s recently released Regional Road Network Plan for the Pilbara (2008). Major road network projects include: • Great Northern Highway – Port Hedland realignment (port access upgrade); • completion of Karratha-Dampier Road duplication; and • upgrade of the Port Hedland-Marble Bar-Nullagine-Newman road link.

In addition to these links, there is a need in the medium term to complete the sealed road link between Karratha and Tom Price.

4.2.3 Pilbara ports The Pilbara currently has three major ports:

Key road network issues The Pilbara’s road network has the following issues: • growing pressures caused by heavy haulage on an ageing asset. This includes the conflicts with light traffic and within and around communities; • growing operational conflicts caused by the growth of preassembled module transport across the road network; • the connectivity of two of the aboriginal hub communities to regional centres and major towns; and • strategic issues concerning the connectivity of towns – for instance: the potential for both Dampier and Port Hedland to be isolated if the single road access is breached. The Great Northern Highway connection to the Kimberley is another example.

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• Dampier • Port Hedland • Port Walcott (Cape Lambert) Both the Ports of Dampier and Port Hedland are operated and managed by port authorities, established under separate Acts of Parliament. The Port Hedland Port Authority was established in 1970 and the Dampier Port Authority took over port administration responsibilities from Hamersley Iron in 1989.

Each of the ports has a gazetted port area in which the port authorities have control over all shipping activities. A feature of the three major ports is that most of the facilities, including dredged channels and navigation facilities, were either developed by or directly financed by the major industries using those ports.

The port throughput for Dampier and Port Hedland from 2000 to 2007 is summarised in Table 4.6 and the commodity breakdown is

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Port of Dampier: is anticipated to increase its berth capacity from 10 to 11 – the port will be upgraded with a multi-user cargo export berth.

summarised in Table 3.7. Cape Lambert had a iron ore throughput of 50 million tonnes in 2007/08.

Port expansion To meet the export needs of the resource sector, the region’s ports are in the process of a major expansion phase, which is anticipated to continue for 5-10 years (Table 4.8).

Port of Port Hedland: is set to increase its berth capacity from 9 to 21 within the inner harbour with a further 20 berths planned as part of the outer harbour.

Port Walcott: berthing facilities at Cape Lambert are anticipated to expand from 2 berths to 6 with the construction of a new jetty.

Table 4.6: Dampier and Port Hedland port throughput: 2000-2007 (‘000s tonnes) Port 2000 2001 2002 2003 Dampier Imports 247 321 300 310 Exports 82 280 81 125 82 395 91 919 Total 82 527 81 446 82 695 92 229 Port Hedland Imports 284 340 357 366 Exports 65 147 72 574 72 018 81 392 Total 65 431 72 914 72 375 81 758

2004

2005

2006

2007

384 88 496 88 880

405 95 421 95 826

606 109 463 110 069

498 125 627 126 125

447 89 352 89 799

522 108 022 108 544

629 109 995 110 624

812 110 997 111 809

Source: Port Hedland & Dampier Port Authorities 2008

Table 4.7: Dampier & Port Hedland port commodity exports 2006-2007 Commodity Dampier ‘000s tonnes % Iron pre 103 014 82% Bulk ,minerals 0 0% Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) 12 563 10% Condensate 3769 3% Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) 1256 1% Salt 3769 3% Other 1256 1% Total 125 627 100%

Port Hedland 000’s tonnes 106 557 1110 0 0 0 2220 1110 110 997

% 96% 1% 0% 0% 0% 2% 1% 100%

Source: Port Hedland and Dampier Port Authorities 2008

Table 4.8: Pilbara port expansion: 2015/20 Port Iron Ore Tonnage (mtpa) Existing Port Hedland - inner harbour 126 Port Hedland - outer harbour Dampier 104 Cape Lambert 50 Total 280

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Potential 470 450 140 180 1240

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Other harbour facilities

4.2.4 Rail

The region’s other harbour facilities cater mainly for fishing, prawning and recreational craft. These are located at Beadon Creek (Onslow) and John’s Creek (Point Samson). Onslow also provides shipping supply services to offshore petroleum projects.

The petroleum companies have also developed oil-loading facilities at Barrow Island, Varanus Island, Airlie Island and Thevenard Island.

There are now three mineral export rail systems in the region: operated by BHP Billiton , Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group.

(Map 14) They have been specifically constructed as heavy-duty, standard gauge (1435 mm) railways to transport iron ore from the mine sites to port facilities (Table 4.9). The only major iron ore operation, not directly linked to a railway, is the Channar project.

This project is connected to the Rio Tinto Iron Ore Hamersley Iron train loading facilities at Paraburdoo by means of a 21 kilometre conveyor.

Table 4.9: Current Pilbara rail system Company Railway BHP Billiton Newman - Pt Hedland

Distance (km) 426

RTIO - Hamersley Iron

Yarrie - Pt Hedland Paraburdoo - Dampier

210 393

RTIO - Robe River Iron FMG

Pannawonica - Cape Lambert Cloud Break - Pt Hedland

196 260

Branch Lines Yandi (Marillana Creek) Jimblebar (McCamey’s Monster) Tom Price Brockman Marandoo

Distance (km) 32 37 5 46 55

Christmas Creek (u/c)

Source: Mining companies (2008)

Design and construction standards adopted for the railways are high by world standards. This is to minimise the risk of major disruptions to rail traffic from washouts, flooding and drainage structures (bridges, culverts, drains, etc). Further, railway embankments have been designed to withstand cyclonic conditions. Also the railways have been designed with large radius curves and low grades. This is to accommodate the long trains which can be up to 3.8 kilometres in length with 350 ore wagons.

All the railways are located on special leased land, provided under the Land Act through provisions of the respective State Agreement Acts. Generally, the leases are 60 metres wide to accommodate service roads as well as the railway facilities.

4.2.5 Airports

BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Rio Tinto Iron Ore are in the process of duplicating their mine-to-port trunk rail systems to increase capacity. Anticipated increased frequency of ore trains will have implications for road traffic for at-grade road crossings. This network expansion is now under review. Third party access to the mining major’s railway system is currently under negotiation, having been given the ‘green light’ by recent high court and ministerial decisions.

There are currently four airports in the region, operated by local government and a mining company, providing scheduled services to Perth and a limited number of other destinations outside the region:

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Over the past 55 years, development of the Pilbara has relied heavily on the aviation industry to transport people and freight.

Aircraft are the dominant form of transport and led to the development of a large number of aerodromes. This arose due to the remoteness of the region from major population centres, the distance between settlements within the region and the poor, often unreliable, road conditions. An aerodrome or landing ground serviced every town, small settlement and pastoral property. Even with the current significantly improved road system, most large and small communities have aerodrome facilities.

• • • •

Port Hedland (Town of Port Hedland) Karratha (Shire of Roebourne) Newman (Shire of East Pilbara) Paraburdoo (Rio Tinto)

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Table 4.10: Pilbara airport characteristics: 2007 Characteristic Port Karratha Newman Paraburdoo Hedland Daily Passenger 6 9 5 3 Services (RPT): Aircraft Suitability (type): Boeing 737 Boeing 737 Boeing 737 Boeing 737 Runways (No): 2 1 1 1 Runway length (m): 2500 1850 2072 2132 Runway width (m): 45 30 30 45 Runway surface: Asphalt Asphalt Asphalt Asphalt Runway elevation (m) 10 9 525 429 Runway slope: 0.2o 0.2o 0.4o Customs & immigration Yes No No No facilities: Distance to main 14 15 11 72 settlement (km) Note: (1) Scheduled passenger services per day (weekdays) (2) Runway details - main runway (3) Distance to main settlement - Tom Price in the case of Paraburdoo airport Source: Town of Port Hedland; Shires of Roebourne, Ashburton and East Pilbara (2007)

Other airport facilities in the region include: Onslow (sealed), Pannawonica (unsealed), Roebourne, Telfer (sealed), Marble Bar (unsealed), Nullagine (unsealed), Yandicoogina (unsealed) and Barrow Island.

Air services direct to mine sites: Rio Tinto considers fly-in fly-out to be an important component of sourcing its workforce and providing it with a range of work and lifestyle options. In addition to Perth, Rio Tinto is operating fly-in fly-out services from WA regional centres such as Geraldton, Busselton, Broome, and more recently Carnarvon. This often means using light aircraft to fly directly to mine sites such as Nammuldi, Brockman and Marandoo.

For instance, the Carnarvon link comprises a weekly flight from Carnarvon to Brockman and Paraburdoo before returning to Carnarvon later in the day (Pilbara News 2 April 2008).

Airport expansion The region’s airports are anticipated to experience significantly increased passenger flows and air traffic (Table 4.11). The increased traffic will require upgrades to Karratha and Port Hedland airports, establishment of a new airport at Tom Price, and the associated downgrade of Paraburdoo airport. Much of the growth in passenger numbers will result from an expanded fly-in fly-out workforce.

Table 4.11: Pilbara airports potential passenger expansion: 2007/08-2011/12 Airport 2007/08 2011/12 % Increase Port Hedland 200 060 240 000 20% Karratha 377 640 598 000 58% Newman 130 000 160 000 23% Paraburdoo/Tom Price 54 900 120 000 119% Total 762 600 1 118 000 47% Source: Pilbara local government authorities and resource companies 2008

4.3 Water resources 4.3.1 Overview Water is a defining feature of the Pilbara. Aboriginal people have lived in the Pilbara’s arid and variable environment for thousands of years, and their way of life and system of beliefs are intimately linked to the water on which their survival traditionally depended.

Water management was and remains vital for the pastoral industry which European settlers established in the 1860s and for the mining industry, which now dominates economic activity in the Pilbara.

Water availability in the Pilbara is, however, problematic. Severe droughts and major floods can occur at close intervals. Climatic conditions are dominated by tropical cyclones, which occur predominantly in January to March. The number of cyclones and the amount of water that they bring varies from year to year, making water a highly variable resource in the Pilbara.

WA residential per capita water consumption Average residential consumption of scheme water per person decreased between 2000-01 and 2005-06 from 142KL to 114KL per person. Residential water use per person varies considerably among settlements throughout the tate, and is highest in the North West. Until around 2001, water supply capacity in this region was considered to significantly exceed demand and there was little urgency to implement demand management measures. Since this time there has been a growing need to manage pressure on North West water resources due to increased demand, particularly from growth in the mining sector.

EPA: State of the Environment Report 2007

4.3.2 Current supply and demand Recent years have seen unprecedented growth in economic activity in the Pilbara driven by the growth in the mining industry, particularly iron ore. This growth in mining activity has meant greater quantities of water being managed at mine sites in the Pilbara and greater quantities of water required from the water supply schemes (scheme water) which serve the towns and ports.

The majority of town and port water, in terms of volume, in the Pilbara is delivered through the West Pilbara and the Port Hedland water supply scheme and the Onslow town water supply operated by Water Corporation.

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These are all coastal schemes and rely on groundwater (Port Hedland and Onslow) or a combination of groundwater and water from Harding Dam (West Pilbara). Groundwater and water for Harding Dam are recharged primarily from episodic cyclonic events. The number of cyclones and the amount of water they bring change from year to year, making water for the coastal towns a highly variable resource.

Given the variable nature of the water supply for the coastal towns, the time it takes to bring new water supplies on-line and the importance of water availability in underpinning the region’s rapid economic and population growth, it is important that industry indicates its water requirements well in advance of demand.

4.3.3 West Pilbara scheme The West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme currently supplies the towns and port facilities of Karratha, Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham, Port Sampson and Cape Lambert (centred on Karratha) and, given proximity, would be the most likely future supply source for other development in the Nickol Bay area.

Water for the scheme is sourced through a combination of the Harding Dam and Millstream borefield, which draws from the Millstream calcrete aquifer. Recharge of the Harding Dam and Millstream borefield occurs predominantly through cyclonic events. Millstream is a high-value wetland ecosystem and the extraction rules for Millstream are designed to limit impacts on the ecosystem and involve managing rates of groundwater-level decline and minimum groundwater levels. When minimum groundwater levels are reached, Millstream cannot be used as a water supply.

The Water Corporation is currently licensed to extract a combined 15 GL/yr from Harding Dam and Millstream. While a nominal licensed allocation has been set at 15 GL/yr, the actual amount of water available will depend on recent recharge. Department of Water (DoW) estimates put the long-term reliable yield for the two sources operating together at around 10 GL/yr. Demand forecasts for the geographic area serviced by the West Pilbara scheme are given in Table 4.12 below.

Table 4.12: Demand forecast West Pilbara scheme area 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 West Pilbara 12.5 GL 13.1 GL 13.7 GL 14.3 GL 14.9 GL demand: Source: Department of Water 2008

The scheme is currently operating beyond its long-term sustainable yield and has been able to do this due a large recharge event in 2006. Without investment in additional supply capacity, there is a high degree of risk that minimum groundwater levels will be reached by late 2011 and abstraction from the Millstream borefield will be significantly reduced in line with established environmental rules, thus affecting water supply security. An immediate addition of 5 GL/yr is required to meet demands for 2011/12.

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Although the pace of growth is difficult to predict, a further 5 GL capacity may be required after 2011/12 to meet demand to 2030.

Future water supply Immediate next water supply sources for the West Pilbara are limited, as follows: • Maximising Millstream/Harding water sources: In order to prevent risk to the environment, long-term abstraction from Millstream should not exceed 6 GL/yr; thus it is not possible on environmental grounds to increase abstraction from Millstream. Abstracting more water from Harding Dam is also limited due to the high organic content of the water.

• Alternative groundwater sources: There are no high-yielding freshwater aquifers close to (within 100 km) of the West Pilbara Scheme. Aquifers that are close (George, Maitland) tend to be low-yielding (around 1 GL/yr). As with the current Millstream/Harding water sources, they are also highly variable supplies as they rely on cyclonic recharge.

• Desalination: The Water Corporation has constructed a seawater pipeline scheme and sea-water desalination plant on the Burrup Peninsula. Although this is not part of the West Pilbara scheme, it is within the West Pilbara scheme area. This plant services the industrial activities on the Burrup Peninsula through a commercial agreement with industrial users. The desalination plant currently supplies 1 GL/annum but the intake and outlet structures have been designed to allow for larger amounts of sea-water supply and desalination. Desalination is a reliable source of supply.

Given the potential difficulties with ground and surface water sources, the Water Corporation proposes the construction of a 5 GL/yr desalination plant to provide additional water into the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme.

4.3.4 Port Hedland scheme The Port Hedland water supply scheme services Nelson Point, Finucane Island, Port Hedland and South Hedland. The scheme draws water from borefields in the alluvial aquifers within the Yule and De Grey rivers. Water from these two sources is blended to improve water quality, most notably to mitigate the need for additional fluoridation – as fluoride is naturally occurring in the De Grey source. Borefields on the Yule and De Grey are recharged by cyclones. These are more likely to be different cyclones given the locations of the two borefields.

For the Port Hedland water supply scheme, the Water Corporation is currently licensed to extract 13.5 GL/annum from the Yule and De Grey borefields. In 2006–07 the Water Corporation extracted 8.7 GL. The Department of Water sets extraction rules for the Yule aquifer that are based on maintaining water levels above the lowest recorded level and will set rules for the De Grey, as part of the water-allocation planning process.

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The Port Hedland water supply scheme has reached a point where demand is close to available supply. Demand projections for geographical areas serviced by the Port Hedland scheme indicate that Port Hedland will reach its combined licensed capacity between 2010 and 2015.

is also responsible for Pannawonica’s water supply. The water supplies for all of the Pilbara Iron towns are accessed from shallow alluvial aquifers.

Table 4.13: Future water supply status – Pilbara inland towns Town Current water Status/issues use (GL/annum) Tom Price 0.952 Water supply is linked to a larger mining operation. Estimated available water (8.0 GL/yr) is in excess of demand.

Paraburdoo 0.302 Estimated available water (4.3 GL/ yr) is in excess of demand.

Pannawonica 0.106 Supply can be problematic depending on recharge (estimated available water >0.6 GL/yr).

Newman 6.778 Water supply is linked to a larger mining operation. Estimated available water (8.0GL/yr) is in excess of demand.

Nullagine 0.042 Water supply comes from a combination of alluvial aquifers and fractured rock aquifers.

Estimated available water >0.05 GL/yr).

Marble Bar 0.105 Estimated available water (0.5 GL/yr) is in excess of demand.

Future water demand A recent study on water demand in the Pilbara (Economics Consulting Services 2008), estimates that iron ore production will double between 2007 and 2013 and then continue to grow but at a slower rate. It is recognised that predicting future growth in iron ore production is extremely difficult and predictions can be out of date within weeks of being made. Nonetheless, the indications are that iron ore production in the Pilbara will continue to grow.

The iron ore industry is a significant user of scheme water at the ports. The proportion of scheme water used in heavy industry in the West Pilbara and Port Hedland Schemes is shown in the figures below. The majority water use by heavy industry refers to port water use and a high proportion of water used at the ports is used for dust suppression for iron ore stockpiles. The actual amount of water per tonne of product depends on the type of ore, the amount of handling done before the ore reaches the port and the proximity of the ore stockpiles to residential housing. Iron ore quality is an important consideration in the steel-making process and as a result dust suppression requires high quality water.

Future water supplies For the Port Hedland scheme, the Water Corporation is investigating expansion of both the Yule and De Grey borefields.

As with any investigation into developing new water sources, this investigation will include assessing the impact of increased extraction on environmental, social and cultural values.

4.3.4 Onslow town water supply The Onslow town water supply services the town of Onslow which is a regional support centre for the offshore oil and gas industry, as well as supporting tourism, pastoral, fishing and the salt mining industry. Water for Onslow is sourced from the Cane River alluvial aquifer and there is a water source protection plan for the borefield. With the potential development of the BHP Billiton LNG project there may well be increases in scheme water demand due to growth in associated light industry as well as from increases in the residential population. The Onslow Town Water Supply is close to its capacity.

4.3.5 Inland town supplies Water Corporation operates services for Nullagine and Marble Bar from local borefields, in the Nullagine and Coongan Rivers, respectively. Pilbara Iron (through Hamersley Iron) owns and operates schemes for Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Dampier a licence under the Water Services Licensing Act (1995). Pilbara Iron

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Newman township and the Newman and Whaleback mines are supplied with water from the Fortescue River, which is used to recharge the town water supply borefield. The dam, transmission and treatment infrastructure are owned and operated by BHP Billiton. The Water Corporation holds the water supply operations licence for Newman and owns the reticulation infrastructure.

Increasing mining activity over the next 25 years is likely to see increasing populations in some of the Pilbara’s inland towns, although it is difficult to make population forecasts. In Tom Price and Newman, the water supplies are linked to a large mining operation and as a result there is greater flexibility to meet increased water demand should it arise.

In Newman, water demand is likely to increase with BHP indicating that it will be using Newman as a ‘hub’ and storing a greater proportion of total product there, with consequently greater water requirements. For the towns of Paraburdoo, Pannawonica, Nullagine and Marble Bar, the town water supplies have been designed only to service town populations.

Water at the mines The expansion of mining in the Pilbara not only has implications for town and port water use but also for water management at the mines themselves. It has been estimated that some 75% of the iron ore resources of the Pilbara are likely to be located below the water table, as are large proportions of other mineral resources and will require de-watering. Mine dewatering volumes in the Pilbara are anticipated to increase from the current level of 39 GL/ annum to 144 GL/annum over the next 25 years. Indications are

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that dewatering volumes will rise quickly over the next decade, reflecting an anticipated period of rapid expansion in the mining industry and then remain relatively stable.

Key land use policy Issues:

There is the potential for water from mines with excess water to be used by mines with water deficits or to be used as a town and port water source. Whether the potential becomes a reality will depend on water availability and the cost/distances over which the water has to be conveyed.

• town water recycling.

Water use efficiency While finding new water sources is important to secure the water future of the Pilbara, improving water use efficiency is also important. The State Water Plan 2007 sets a long-term aspirational target of improving water use efficiency in the minerals and energy sector by 20%. Such a long-term target is achievable for the Pilbara through changes in how and where ore is handled.

BHP, for example, will handle a greater proportion of its ore at Newman and reduce the proportion of ore processed at Port Hedland. Rio Tinto is constructing new port facilities at Cape Lambert and upgrading existing port facilities which will improve water use efficiency. The Department of Water will continue to work with the mining industry to set and meet water use efficiency targets.

While improved port water use will not remove the immediate next source planning requirements for both the West Pilbara and Port Hedland schemes, it is a factor in long-term planning as it has the potential to delay the need for a second-round of source augmentation.

Though a smaller user than industry, residential consumption is still a sizeable portion of overall water consumption for both the West Pilbara and Port Hedland schemes. Per capita domestic water use in the Pilbara is high by state standards, reflecting the hotter climate, backyard pools and garden watering.

Whilst there is high per capita usage in the Pilbara, a high proportion of indoor water use is recycled. Wastewater from treatment plants in Karratha, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Dampier, Wickham and Newman is used on sporting and school ovals. These green open spaces provide important community amenity and local governments have had to be very efficient in their use of water in order to maintain these spaces, particularly over the summer holiday period when the hotter weather coincides with a lower resident population. Given the high proportion of recycling of indoor water use, the focus for water use efficiency for residential consumption should be on outdoor water use. A critical part of this is undertaking land use and subdivision planning which is better suited to the Pilbara.

This means less household green space and areas of shared green space which are more commensurate with what can be maintained given the limited quantities of recycled water available.

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• mining/exploring in drinking water source protection areas; and

4.4 Energy 4.4.1 Electricity The majority of the western and central Pilbara is supplied with electricity by Horizon Power’s integrated North-West Network that links Karratha/Dampier, Wickham/Port Lambert, Port Hedland and Tom Price/Paraburdoo. Horizon Power sources its electricity from Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s power plants at Dampier and Cape Lambert as well as BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s plant at the Port Hedland power hub (Alinta). Newman’s power is supplied by BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s power station. More remote settlements such as Marble Bar and Nullagine are supplied by Horizon Power diesel generators, located in each township.

Table 4.14: Energy Generation in the Pilbara Location Owner Size Dampier RTIO Hamersley 4 x 30 MW oil/gas Iron steam turbines Horizon Power 1 x 19 MW gas turbine Burrup NWS JVP 6 x 20 MW gas Peninsula turbines Cape Lambert RTIO Robe 3 x 35 MW oil/gas River Iron steam turbines Pannawonica RTIO Robe 4 x 2.4 MW River Iron 1 x 5 MW diesel Paraburdoo RTIO Hamersley ? MW gas turbines Iron Port Hedland PEPL 3 x 35 MW gas turbines BHP Billiton 2 x 35 MW gas turbines Newman PEPL 3 x 35 MW gas turbines Onslow Onslow Salt ? MW gas turbines Marble Bar Horizon Power ? MW diesel generator Nullagine Horizon Power ? MW diesel generator

Other Supply Karratha Karratha

Wickham, Pannawonica, PP

Tom Price Hedland

* PP = Pilbara Power

Horizon Power’s strategy is to improve the quality and reliability of regional power supplies and pursuing innovative energy solutions.

Horizon Power’s high priority projects focus on meeting the needs of its regional customers and involve a proposed expenditure of $390.3 million over the next 20 years.

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New Rio Tinto power station

Table 4.16: State Budget 2008/09: Pilbara hard infrastructure: energy State-funded power supply project West East Total Pilbara Pilbara Pilbara Nullagine & Marble Bar power $25.00 $25.00 stations refurbishment RTIO generation interconnections $14.70 $14.70 North West interconnection Scheme $5.10 $5.10 Port Hedland reliability & $1.80 $1.80 safety enhancements Karratha CBD & Millstream $0.73 $0.73 East system upgrade South Hedland street light upgrades $0.24 $0.24 Port Hedland distribution works $0.20 $0.20 Total $20.53 $27.24 $47.77

As part of Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s expansion program, a new power station is planned to be constructed at 7 Mile, west of Karratha.

It will comprise four open cycle gas-fired turbine units of 40 MW capacity, producing a total of 160 MW. This will replace power stations at Dampier (4x30 MW steam turbines, commissioned in 1970-72) and Cape Lambert (3x35 MW steam turbines, commissioned in 1972).

New Horizon Power Station Horizon Power has entered into an agreement with Canadian energy company ATCO Power to build what will become the most efficient gas-fired power station on the North West Interconnected System (NWIS). The Karratha Power Station will be an integral part of the NWIS as it develops from a series of loosely connected generators to a true interconnected system. The 86 MW power station, situated adjacent to Horizon Power’s 132 kV Karratha substation, could be expanded up to 150 MW generation capacity and provide a direct link into the NWIS. The project is due to be completed by early 2010. The plant will initially comprise two 40 MW high-efficiency gas turbines and could grow to include a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) that will produce electricity from waste heat. The plant will initially supply baseload demand but is flexible enough to meet peaking demands as the renewable and large scale generating plant is brought on line in the Pilbara.

Solar-diesel hybrid power plants Horizon Power is upgrading the power plants at Marble Bar and Nullagine as hybrid solar-diesel facilities. It is anticipated that they will be come operational in late 2009.

Table: 4.15: Pilbara power supply projects Power supply project Budget Aboriginal Remote $28.0 million Communities Power Supply Alinta – Karratha $21.2 million Pilbara Iron – Port Hedland $21.2 million Source: Horizon Power 2008

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Source: Department of Treasury and Finance 2008

Pilbara power grid Horizon Power advocates the development of a 220 kV power grid system and governance structure that links the North-West Network with the urban centres of the East Pilbara.

The development of an appropriately built transmission network would increase system security and bring about a significant reduction in isolated inefficient generation development. The development of an appropriate governance framework would facilitate an open access regime with an independent operating body overseeing planning and operation coordination.

4.4.2 Gas There is a natural gas feed to the Karratha and Port Hedland power hubs, the Onslow Salt power plant, the Paraburdoo power plant and the Newman power plant.

Start -Completion 2008 - 2009

A major challenge for the Pilbara energy network will be the supply of reticulated gas to the main Pilbara towns (commercial and domestic)

2011 - 2012 2011 - 2012

4.5 Other infrastructure 4.5.1 Communications All the Pilbara settlements have adequate landline telecommunications facilities. The majority have an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) and a mobile network – Telstra’s Next G network service. The exceptions are the small settlements of Jigalong and Nullagine (Table 4.17). Apart from Telstra, other telecommunication providers include Vodafone and Optus.

However, their network coverage in the region tends to be limited.

Mobile phone reception is generally poor or non-existent along the region’s major roads and at highway service centres (road houses).

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Table 4.17: Settlement telecommunications facilities Settlement Land Internet Access Mobiles Facility Lines -Telstra’s Next Upgrades G network Cossack Yes* Wireless/satellite Yes Dampier Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes 1 new tower proposed Jigalong Yes Satellite No Karratha Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes 3 new towers proposed Marble Bar Yes Wireless/satellite Yes Recently installed new tower Onslow Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes Newman Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes Nullagine Yes Satellite No Pannawonica Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes Paraburdoo Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes Port Hedland Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes Point Samson Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes Roebourne Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes Tom Price Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes Wickham Yes ADSL/wireless/satellite Yes Notes: 1: Yes* Cossack land line: Limited access - fed via small radio system 2: Internet access either by ADSL/wireless/satellite 3: ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line Source: Telstra Pilbara Region 2008

4.5.2 Waste management Landfill There are 31 licensed landfills in the Pilbara, of which eight are owned and operated by local government and the remainder by the mineral mining companies. In addition, there are numerous unlicensed landfills, scattered throughout the indigenous communities and pastoral estates in the region. Those mineral mining companies that do not have licensed landfills deposit waste in local government landfills.

Regional Waste Management Plan The Pilbara local governments, through the Pilbara Regional Council, have developed a Regional Waste Management Plan to improve the management and use of landfills, extend the life of existing landfills and if possible replace the smaller landfills with transfer stations equipped to meet the needs of the community and the environment. The landfills currently being considered for closure are: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Jigalong, Paraburdoo, Yandeyarra, and those within other smaller indigenous communities.

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All towns have at least weekly garbage collection but only Newman has domestic kerb-side recycling. Some mineral mining companies undertake domestic recycling and most undertake some level of industrial recycling; however, the inability to recycle tyres is proving to be the most problematic issue for both industry and local government. This said, recycling is being undertaken ad hoc and industry uses spare back-loading capacity to move recyclable material to Perth. Local government currently has no access to this low-cost transportation network, which makes recycling cost-effective.

A disturbing recent trend is for transport companies to allow trucks to return to Perth empty, apart from the loading and hauling of their own trailers. This is occurring because of the high cost of fuel and related wear and tear on the trucks and trailers; however, this practice has the potential of impeding the full implementation of domestic recycling in the Pilbara.

The Regional Waste Management Plan recommends the establishment of a non-partisan regional recycling coordinator who will work with local government, and companies within the mineral and petroleum, the waste disposal and recycling sectors, and community groups to coordinate recycling with the view to achieving an overall lower cost of operation for all involved.

It is anticipated that as a result of this, that domestic kerb-side recycling will be achievable for Karratha and surrounds, Port Hedland, Newman, and Tom Price and Paraburdoo. Provision will be made for the smaller communities to undertake recycling via community recycling points.

The ability of local government to implement recycling is being challenged by fuel cost increases and the trading of carbon credits. It is possible that there will become a time in the near future where the economic and environmental cost of transporting unrefined recyclable material will exceed the financial and environmental benefits of recycling in the Pilbara. It is for these reasons that local government will also be encouraging recycling companies to set up operations in and around Karratha and Port Hedland, with the view to transporting refined or semi-refined material on ships via the ports in these towns.

While implementation to achieve the objectives of the plan has commenced, it is anticipated that it will take up to 10 years to implement it, and it will only be achievable if the State Government, local governments, industry and the community work together.

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5. Settlement structure 5.1 Sustainable settlements The primary goal for the attainment of a sustainable settlement is to ‘plan and provide settlements that reduce the ecological footprint and enhance quality of life at the same time’

(WA State Sustainability Strategy 2003). A key component of this is managing the settlement’s inputs and outputs (Figure 5.1)

Figure 5.1: Settlement inputs and outputs RESOURCES INPUTS Energy Land Building material Water Other resources Food

LIVEABILITY Health Employment Income Education

DYNAMICS OF SETTLEMENTS Transportation priorities Economic priorities Cultural priorities

5.2 Settlement typology the towns of the Pilbara have evolved since the late 1800s based on pastoral and fishing economies to become the urban foci of a major mining province. In the typology of Holmes, the Pilbara has transformed from an arid ‘pastoral region’, where family-based owner operated pastoral enterprises dominated land use, to a ‘mining region’, characterised by periods of rapid growth and urbanisation (Holmes 1997).

5.2.1 Desert settlements typology

Housing Leisure activities Accessibility Urban design

WASTE OUTPUTS Toxics Solid waste Sewage Liquid Air pollutants Waste

Quality Community

Greenhouse gas Waste heat Noise

typology. It is based on population size and a cluster analysis of sets of indicators at settlement (Baum 2006) and regional levels (Maru et al. 2006). It reflects the demographic profile of settlements, their economic function and to a certain extent, socio-economic outcomes. The population categories used are based on the ARIA++ population hierarchy and based on the principle that larger settlements draw people from a larger catchment on the basis of the services and functions they provide.

The settlement types comprise:

The Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre at Murdoch University has developed a preliminary desert settlements

Category 1: Settlements with a population of 18 000–47 999 Category 2: Settlements with a population of 5000–17 999 Category 3: Settlements with a population of 1000–4 999

Table 5.1: Pilbara settlement typology Population Pilbara Town Type Category 2 Karratha Mining advantaged town (Baum 2006) 5000–17 999 Port Hedland Overall placed in a region that includes high population mobility and education index and a lower proportion of indigenous people.

Small town based around industry cluster of mining & education Category 3 Dampier The regions in which they are located have a high diversity of industries, low unemployment and a high 1000–4999 Newman relative index of socio-economic advantage. In comparison to other socio-regions, the region of these towns Pannawonica has a higher than average population and a lower than average proportion of Indigenous people.

Paraburdoo Tom Price Wickham Source: Baum (2006), Maru et al. (2006)

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There are no Pilbara towns in Category 1. Arid towns in this category include: Alice Springs (‘tourism/population boom advantaged town’); Kalgoorlie and Mount Isa (both ‘income advantaged mining cities’); Whyalla and Broken Hill (both ‘old economy/employment disadvantaged cities’).

In addition to Karratha and Kalgoorlie, the only other arid settlement in Category 2 is Port Augusta, which is classified as an ‘old economy disadvantaged town’.

There are a total of 28 arid settlements in Category 3. However, in addition to the Pilbara settlements, other Australian arid towns classified as ‘towns based around industry clusters of mining and education’ include: Coolgardie, Kambalda West, Leinster, Leonora, and Roxby Downs.

The Pilbara settlements compare favourably with their counterparts in other WA regions and interstate regions as illustrated in Table 5.2.

The region’s smaller settlements of Point Samson, Marble Bar, Nullagine, Cossack, as well as the system of Indigenous communities, are not included in this typology.

Growth comparison models When contemplating Karratha and Port Hedland’s future growth to the next threshold it would be wise to look at two scenarios: • 'income advantaged mining city' such as: Kalgoorlie or Mount Isa; or • 'tourism/population boom advantaged city' such as Alice Springs.

Comparisons between an expanded Karratha or Port Hedland and north Queensland towns on a similar latitude, such as Cairns, may be misleading.

Table 5.2: Pilbara and comparable settlements: indices of advantage Settlement Index of relative socio-economic Index of economic resources advantage- disadvantage Pilbara Towns Score Decile Score Decile Dampier 1104 10 1110 Karratha 1075 9 1056 Port Hedland 1051 9 1032 South Hedland 1000 7 980 Newman 1006 7 1002 Pannawonica 1024 8 1034 Paraburdoo 1003 7 990 Tom Price 1062 9 1037 Wickham 1025 8 992 Comparison Towns Coolgardie WA 945 4 988 Kalgoorlie WA 1026 8 1041 Kambalda West WA 949 5 1023 Leinster WA 1003 7 1027 Leonora WA 899 2 901 Broken Hill NSW 898 2 918 Roxyby Downs SA 1075 9 1075 Mt Isa Qld 971 6 979 Alice Springs NT 1020 8 997

Index of education & occupation Score

Decile

10 9 8 4 6 8 5 8 5

991 978 992 933 934 908 918 955 938

6 6 7 3 3 2 2 5 4

5 8 7 7 1 1 9 4 5

884 972 861 929 916 890 973 934 1010

1 6 1 3 2 1 6 3 7

Source: ABS (2008) Census of Population & Housing: Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), Australia 2006.

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5.2.2 Aboriginal communities The Aboriginal communities have been categorised by the WAPC as ‘Large Permanent Aboriginal Communities’ which meet the following criteria: • The community maintains a normal population of at least 50 people.

• The community is the principal residence of the normal population for the majority of a 12-month period.

• The community includes at least five domestic dwellings that are connected to power, water and wastewater systems acceptable to the respective state regulatory bodies.

• The community has secure land tenure.

Included in these are 'hub' aboriginal communities which have a much larger population and provide a range of services for their residents including airstrip, clinic, school, sporting facilities and shop. There are three of these in the Pilbara region –Jigalong, Yandeyarra, and Kunawarritji.

Other 'Large Permanent Aboriginal Communities' include: Ngurawaana, Youngaleena, Wakathuni, Innawonga, Warralong, Punju Ngamal, and Parnngurr.

Remote indigenous settlements Shire of Ashburton The Shire of Ashburton has seen a number of aboriginal communities established over the last ten years. These include Ngurawaana near Millstream National Park, Youngaleena Bunjima (excised from Mulga Downs Station), Wakathuni south of Tom Price, Bellary north of Paraburdoo, and Yathalla near Pannawonica.

Table 5.3: Hub aboriginal communities Jigalong Yandeyarra • Population 350-400 • Population 300-450 • Medical clinic • Medical Clinic • School: K-Y7 • School: K-Y10 • Shop • Shop • Oval • Swimming pool • Basketball courts • Oval • Airstrip • Basketball courts • Regional town • Airstrip Port Hedland • Telecentre • Multi-functional police post • Regional town - Newman

enterprises (such as a mechanical workshop) under its Community Employment and Development Program.

Jigalong serves as a centre for a number of outcamps including Camp 61, Billanooka, Walgun, Robertson Range and Puntawari.

Most of the population is from the Western Desert and speaks English as a second language. Currently administered by a community council, Jigalong is a subject of the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ Demonstration Project, which aims to upgrade infrastructure and servicing arrangements to a level comparable to a mainstream town. Ultimately it is intended that the administration of the community will be transferred to the Shire.

The Nomads group of communities, established by participants in the 1946 pastoral strike and including Strelley, Warralong, Mumbultjari (Woodstock-Abydos), Callawa, Mijiji Maya and Lalla Rookh, is also within the Shire of East Pilbara. These communities are administered by the Nomads Charitable Foundation, which has established independent, mostly bilingual schools in each community.

Punmu (formerly Panaka) and Parnngurr (Cotton Creek) are the other large Western Desert communities. Originally established as outstations from Strelley, they now have their own community councils and administration. Both communities are predominantly non-English speaking and have established independent schools which place emphasis on bilingualism and biculturalism.

The homelands movement of the 1980s and 1990s led to the establishment of a large number of small communities in the Western Desert, including Kunawarriji, Kiwirrkurra, Milyakirri, Wikiri, Bibarr, and Jupiter Well.

Kunawarri • Population 115 • Medical clinic • School: K-Y7 • Shop • Oval • Recreation centre • Airstrip • Regional town - Newman

Shire of East Pilbara Most of the area of the Shire of East Pilbara is part of the Western Desert. Within this area is a large number of aboriginal communities of various sizes. The largest is Jigalong, originally a Methodist mission. Jigalong has its own government school and clinic, a community-owned shop and a number of other

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5.2.3 Evolution of mining towns Mining towns have long been the focus of social and economic research. The seminal paper by Paul Landis in 1934 portrayed a process in which mining towns grow and decline. He developed a series of indicators to determine three evolutionary phases linking resource-based economic activity with the town’s demographic profile. This is summarised in Table 5.4.

Table 5.4: Evolution of mining towns Phase 1: Pioneering Phase 2: Maturity Isolated economy Connected economy Few married couples High birth rate Male dominated Young families Slow population growth Rapid population increase Unknown resource Known resource potential potential Source: After Paul Landis 1934.

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Phase 3: Decline Economic decline Low birth rate Aging population Gradual population decline Diminished resources

Pilbrara Framework Settlement structure

There are a number of developments that have changed the landscape since the 1930s: • not so much a question of diminished resources as mineral exploitation economics – shifting market preferences and new technologies to economically process lower quality ores; and • the advent of the fly-in fly-out human resource solution for remote areas, thus reducing the degree of mining-led settlement development.

Nevertheless, these patterns are very evident in the Pilbara settlements. In the more diverse economies such as Port Hedland and Karratha, all three phases could be in process simultaneously, with some more dominant than others (Geografia 2008).

Following a period of decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Pilbara is experiencing an expansion of the 'maturity' phase, with parallel 'pioneering' activities.

5.2.4 Economies of scale In the various industry and community development forums held in the Pilbara, there has been a consistent call for social infrastructure and services to be of a sufficiently high standard to attract and retain workers, as well as the need to encourage private sector investment in infrastructure.

Achieving a critical mass To an extent, infrastructure development has a ‘chicken and egg’ element – the achievement of critical mass (eg. population size, demographics, disposable income) encourages further investment, but reaching that critical mass may also be constrained by an historical lack of investment (CRA International 2007).

It may be argued that the necessary regional ‘critical mass’ is achieved by rationalisation and consolidation. A favoured approach might be to address the issue incrementally, with a commitment that all new growth will focus on one regional centre, rather than on many small and isolated towns which would make achievement of critical mass in any single town a much longer term prospect (CRA International 2007).

Realistically, it is unlikely that critical mass could be achieved in Pilbara towns other than Karratha/Dampier and Port/South Hedland. The only other long-term possibility would be that Newman becomes a larger centre for the iron ore industry as the focus of the industry moves further into the East Pilbara over the next three to four decades.

Nevertheless, it is difficult to envisage Newman growing to the size of the port towns (CRA International 2007).

The development of a prime regional centre would have the following benefits: • It would encourage greater industrial diversification – because with increasing quantity and quality of service provision,

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it is likely to attract and retain workers to staff medical and educational facilities, which in turn are a drawcard for other potential residents.

• The families of local employees may also be more inclined to reside in a larger town with access to a higher threshold of amenities.

• This broadening of the population base may in turn act as a catalyst for further industrial and economic expansion.

Research indicates that there may be economies of scale, size and scope in the provision of certain services in larger towns that are not available in smaller towns. Conversely there may be efficiency disadvantages associated with the provision of services to many remote small towns rather than one larger, consolidated regional centre. This is particularly pertinent where service provision is replicated several times over, using different service providers.

(CRA International 2007).

The move towards centralisation raises questions of access and equity for remote pastoral and indigenous communities. It also raises the issue of which centre should be the primary focus for the region.

Bi-polar regional focus A focus on only one centre is problematic in that the Pilbara has been developed as an ore mining province in two spheres: East Pilbara - BHP Billiton Iron Ore and the West Pilbara - Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Thus strong functional linkages have been formed between Newman and Port Hedland in the eastern sphere and, because of a mixed corporate legacy, a more complex relationship between Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Dampier on one hand and Pannawonica and Cape Lambert on the other.

This is also reinforced by the topography of the area, with east and west separated by the Chichester Ranges

5.2.5 Settlement versus fly-in fly-out The issue of the extent to which a mining-related workforce is resident in the region and to what extent is there a reliance on a fly-in fly-out solution has been an area of debate for a number of decades. Fly-in fly-out is now becoming a more acceptable means of sourcing and accommodation labour, with the introduction of more attractive terms and conditions. Rio Tinto consider fly-in fly-out to be an important component of sourcing its workforce and providing it with a range of work and lifestyle options. In addition to Perth, Rio Tinto is operating fly-in fly-out services from WA regional centres such as Geraldton, Busselton, Broome, and more recently Carnarvon. This often means using light aircraft to fly directly to mine sites.

The fly-in fly-out case is well advocated by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (2008), where it cites the Karratha case in particular, highlighting the critical shortage of housing and the fact that it has overtaken major Australia cities in living costs.

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Table 5.5: Advantages and disadvantages of fly-in fly-out Advantages Company related • less impact than establishing new town • independent of local settlements • efficiency in work time/travel time • economies of scale in large numbers of workers • critical in establishing economic viability of project

Disadvantages Company related • high cost of travel and accommodation provision • retention of skilled workers • potential negative perception by local residents Worker Related • marital or family unit dysfunction /guilt • loneliness and isolation • possible substance abuse/depression • poor communication • cultural difficulties for workers from overseas • reduced commitment to operation

Worker related • work focussed time frame • growth of personal independence and freedom • pioneer/adventure spirit encouraged • financial satisfaction • bonding and mateship • quality time with family when home Approaches to fly in fly out accommodation In town fly in fly out Fly in fly out precincts (eg: Gap Ridge Karratha) Small developments throughout town

Out of town fly in fly out Close to town (< 80 km; < 40 mins travel time) Remote from town (>80 km; > 40 mins travel time)

5.3 Mining dependence The region has two economic functional spheres: the West Pilbara and the East Pilbara: West Pilbara: The western part of the region is dominated by iron ore, hydrocarbons and other minerals, with the major resource companies being Rio Tinto Iron Ore and Woodside. On the whole, the west is less dependent than the east on mining, with its considerable offshore hydrocarbon industries, coupled with a growing service sector.

Table 5.6: Settlement employment structure Settlement % Agriculture % Mining & Fishing Dampier Karratha Marble Bar Newman Nullagine Onslow Pannawonica Paraburdoo Point Samson Port Hedland Roebourne Tom Price Wickham Pilbara Region 45

0.0 0.3 16.7 0.2 3.5 3.6 0.0 0.0 5.0 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.9

34.1 19.8 5.6 44.8 36.5 20.2 66.5 61.4 15.0 19.8 5.1 50.0 50.4 30.3

East Pilbara: The eastern part of the region is dominated by iron ore and other minerals, with the major resource companies being BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group. This area is also characterised by a substantial number of junior mineral resource companies.

The proportion of the settlements’ working population engaged in mining is shown in Table 5.6.

% Manufacturing % Construction % Retail, Wholesale & Hospitality 2.6 12.1 15.0 6.1 15.0 17.0 0.0 25.9 7.4 3.2 7.9 14.8 10.6 10.6 14.1 3.6 10.7 19.4 0.0 1.7 12.2 1.2 3.8 10.2 0.0 16.4 19.3 6.0 12.8 16.2 3.1 11.3 11.8 1.7 5.1 12.2 2.1 3.4 11.6 4.4 11.0 14.8 JULY 2009

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% Business, Property, Media & IT 8.6 11.0 0.0 6.7 0.0 5.9 4.8 8.7 12.1 10.8 6.7 8.7 7.3 9.3

% Community % Other & Governance (includes transport ) 14.1 13.5 19.6 11.1 44.4 0.0 15.6 6.7 21.2 3.5 28.9 7.9 11.6 3.1 10.3 4.4 23.6 8.6 23.3 10.8 52.8 9.2 17.1 4.9 21.2 4.0 20.3 8.9

Pilbrara Framework Settlement structure

5.4 Population growth The growth in the Pilbara’s resource sector has remained fairly steady over a number of years with the usual boom-bust cycles being experienced by a number of communities. Generally the region’s shires have previously been able to manage growth and decline cycles. The more recent sharp increase in population due to the major expansion of the resource sector has resulted in a sharp rise in demand for facilities and services and is having Table 5.7: Settlement population projections 2006–2020 Settlement 2006 Resident Fly in /fly out Resident Nickol Bay Hub Dampier Karratha Roebourne Wickham Point Samson Cossack Total South Coastal Onslow Pannawonica Total Central Pilbara Tom Price Paraburdoo Total East Pilbara Port Hedland Newman Marble Bar Nullagine Total Pilbara Total

a major impact on the socio-economic fabric of Karratha, Port Hedland and to a lesser extent Newman.

5.4.1 Population growth scenario Population projections have been produced for the 14 mainstream settlements on the basis of the Pilbara Industry’s Community Council (PICC) projections, modified by consultation with resource companies and local government. These are summarised in Table 5.7

2010 Fly in /fly out

Resident

2015 Fly in /fly out

Resident

2020 Fly in /fly out

1371 11 725 875 1823 274 4 16 072

740 4000 50 700 20 0 5510

1400 13 850 950 2250 280 4 18 734

500 7000 100 1250 20 0 8870

1450 14 000 1600 2500 300 20 19 870

400 1500 50 500 20 0 2470

1500 14 000 1600 3000 300 20 20 420

200 1000 10 200 0 0 1410

574 690 1264

30 50 80

1350 685 2035

2000 3000 5000

2500 450 2950

125 1000 1125

2500 450 2950

30 500 530

2720 1610 4330

800 500 1300

3310 1605 4915

1740 500 2240

3000 1605 4605

1000 100 1100

3000 1330 4330

200 0 200

11 560 4240 190 220 16 210 37 876

2400 1000 20 20 3440 10 330

13 580 5325 200 220 19 325 45 009

2110 940 50 20 3120 19 230

16 045 6040 210 230 22 525 49 950

4310 1530 50 30 5920 10 615

16 500 6040 210 230 22 980 50 680

1000 500 20 10 1530 3670

Note: Based on Pilbarra Industry’s Community Council (Heuris Partners) population projections: August 2008

5.5 Housing and neighbourhood design 5.5.1 Housing stock

Such conditions are producing home environments which are not conducive to full participation in schooling and training.

The supply of housing in the Pilbara tends to be unbalanced with severe shortages in the region’s hotspots, such as Karratha, Port Hedland and Newman, with vacant or under-utilised housing stock in other urban centres, under less pressure. In the hotspot towns there is evidence of overcrowding and attendant social issues. The use of temporary accommodation, such as cabins and caravan parks for workers and their families, is a direct result of this shortage.

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The house building industry was taken by surprise by the steep ramping up of the resource sector from about 2004. However, LandCorp, the Department of Housing and companies, such as BHP Billiton, have been making steady inroads in the provision of residential land and housing. Because of the high cost of civil works and house construction, the price of house and land packages is exceptionally high for would be home-owning

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residents. While many of the Pilbara residents enjoy highly subsidised rents (through resource companies, their contractors and government employers), those engaged without packages

that include housing are required to pay high, unaffordable rentals. Thus house-sharing, even by couples, is a current feature of dwelling occupancy in the Pilbara.

Table 5.8: Pilbara settlement dwelling stock: 2006 Settlement Total private dwellings Occupied private dwellings Dampier 571 457 Karratha 4914 4334 Marble Bar 151 102 Newman 2037 1561 Nullagine 70 62 Onslow 467 421 Pannawonica 280 231 Paraburdoo 659 497 Point Samson 199 186 Port Hedland 5075 4513 Roebourne 329 290 Tom Price 1313 999 Wickham 732 602 Total 16 797 14 255 Rural Balance 1106 943 Region 17 903 15 198

Unoccupied private dwellings 114 580 49 476 8 46 49 162 13 562 39 314 130 2542 163 2705 WA: Perth:

Unoccupied private dwellings % 20.0 11.8 32.5 23.4 11.4 9.9 17.5 24.6 6.5 11.1 11.9 23.9 17.8 15.1 14.7 15.1 10.7 8.0

Source: ABS Census 2006

Table 5.9: Settlement housing type: 2006 Settlement Detached House Attached House Dampier 315 .0 45 .0 Karratha 2851.0 811 .0 Marble Bar 67.0 10 .0 Newman 1194.0 70 .0 Nullagine 42.0 Onslow 199.0 Pannawonica 225.0 Paraburdoo 462.0 35 .0 Point Samson 95.0 Port Hedland 3190.0 417 .0 Roebourne 213.0 5 .0 Tom Price 850.0 42 .0 Wickham 332.0 255 .0 Total 10 035 .0 1690.0 Rural Balance 401.0.0 Region 10 436.0 1686 .0 WA % 79.0 10.5 Perth % 78.1 11.9

Flat, Unit Apartment Other (Caravan) 65 32 156 516 25 190 107 20 20 202 6 3 88 347 554 72 20 87 15 816 1709 7 538 823 2247 8.1 2.4 9.4 0.6

Source: ABS Census 2006

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Not Stated 5 5 1 6 0.1 0.0

Total 457 4334 102 1561 62 421 231 497 186 4513 290 999 602 14 255 943 15 198 100 100

Pilbrara Framework Settlement structure

Quality

5.5.2 Neighbourhood design and appearance

The quality of the Pilbara’s housing stock is highly variable, ranging from recently constructed high finish dwellings, often earmarked for senior company management, to aging fibro cottages in some of the pre-mining era settlements. A large proportion of miningera town housing stock, largely built in the 1970s, is now in need of refurbishment or replacement. This has become an issue for the attraction and retention of new staff. Major renovation programs have been put in place by the mining companies to redress this situation – this is particularly evident in Port Hedland.

The Pilbara towns vary considerably in the quality of their urban environments, with Port Hedland and Tom Price achieving the highest standards.

The Department of Housing has been making a major contribution to the quality of the residential neighbourhoods in South Hedland, via its ‘New Living’ program.

A key feature of the new LandCorp residential subdivisions in Karratha has been the rationalisation of public open space to ensure that it is usable and cost-effective to maintain.

There has been a trend away from brick and tile construction to ribbed steel (colorbond) house construction, with a focus on pre-assembled modules – particularly in Newman. BHP Billiton has been proactive in designing more environmentally sustainable dwellings – good examples being the new temporary accommodation eco-villages in Newman.

Transit workforce accommodation The Pilbara currently has an estimated 28 245 transit workforce accommodation units – the majority of them located in the remote areas of East Pilbara and Ashburton. With the addition of a known potential 14 500 units, the number of units in the Pilbara could amount to 42 745 (Table 5.10). The current numbers include a proportion of the towns’ visitor accommodation, which has been block-booked by the mining companies and their contractors. The number of potential units will be subject to review, given commodity market uncertainties.

Table 5.10: Transient workforce accommodation: 2008 LGA Town-Based Current Potential Ashburton 1550 1430 East Pilbara 2595 0 Port Hedland 2160 4290 Roebourne 3995 4410 Total 10 300 10 130

Port Hedland has, in recent years, achieved considerable success in developing and maintaining a high quality of urban and landscape design in both Port and South Hedland. In 2008 the town was category winners in the State Tidy Towns Sustainable Communities Awards for ‘community action’ and ‘general appearance’. Kambalda took out the state title – no other Pilbara town received an award.

5.6 Community infrastructure Continual improvement in the level of social amenities and cultural services, reflecting the community aspirations and needs, is necessary for the attraction and retention of individual and families to the region. There appears to have been an expectation that individuals in the region should accept lower standards of infrastructure due to perceptions of higher salary rates and the transient nature of the population. However, in reality, employees and their families demand standards of social amenity and cultural facilities comparable to the metropolitan area. Acceptable standards of social amenity and community infrastructure are integral components facilitating the long-term economic stability of the Pilbara (Pilbara Development Commission 2005).

There are two fundamental community infrastructure services that continue to be a cause of concern in the region: health and education. Health encompasses hospital services and general practitioner services. Education includes primary, secondary and post-secondary facilities.

Facilities considered to be community-driven that need to be spatially linked to the settlement include recreational, religious Remote Potential

Current 5167 11 190 635 955 17 945

Total Potential

Current 740 285 0 3345 4370

6715 13 785 2795 4950 28 245

2170 285 4290 7755 14 500

Source: Pilbara LGAs & resource companies 2008

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and youth facilities. As such, they are not considered to be as strategic as health and education and therefore are less amenable to rationalisation and centralisation. Nevertheless, certain community facilities have a significance far beyond their asset size, such as childcare.

Expansion and rationalisation

5.6.1 Health Currently there are one regional hospital, six district hospitals and one nursing post in the region (Table 5.11). Dampier is serviced

by Karratha’s Nickol Bay Hospital and Wickham is serviced by the Roebourne Hospital. Pannawonica has no local hospital facility, relying on Karratha. (Map 18) The new regional facility in Port Hedland will have 64 beds (an increase of 15 beds); the emergency department will be expanded to a total of 15 treatment beds; and will include mental health, drug and alcohol services, population health, allied and community health.

The provision of the region’s services is in tension between the need for rationalisation, centralisation and the creation of a ‘critical mass’ on one hand, and the community’s need for access and equity on the other.

Table 5.11: Pilbara health facilities status and size : 2020 Settlement Facility Type Medical Karratha District hospital 9.9 Marble Bar Nursing post Newman District hospital Onslow District hospital 0.2 Paraburdoo District hospital Port Hedland Regional hospital 18.1 Roebourne District hospital Tom Price District hospital Total 28.1

Nursing

Support

43.0 1.0 14.0 9.1 7.2 93.8 15.5 10.9 194.5

Admin 2.1 7.8 1.1 11.0

Other 21.0 4.4 1.7 0.6 38.3 1.9 2.3 70.2

18.8 0.3 8.8 4.7 3.6 74.7 9.3 5.9 126.0

Source: HRIS Data Warehouse 2008

The Pilbara’s demographic profile is characterised by a high percentage of young workers (aged 20–40) and their families, attracted to the region by the high earnings in the resources sector. Typically this group spends a large part of its childbearing years in the Pilbara. As a consequence, the proportion of children under 12 tends to be high. This creates the following demands on the region’s health services: • The demand for quality obstetrics and gynaecological services tends to overwhelm the services provided. Moreover, the community perception that the service is less than adequate causes the majority of young mothers to return to their home town or a major city (usually Perth) for the necessary support.

• There is an ongoing demand for health and medical support when the mother and child return to the region. Again it is poorly provided.

Where eligible, Pilbara residents are required to make regular use of the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) to travel to Perth for medical treatment.

5.6.2 Education The Pilbara currently has 22 primary and five secondary schools, eight TAFE colleges and other forms of tertiary education and training. The student population profile shows a general growth

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in primary school enrolments and a decline in secondary school enrolments.

The retention of children within the region’s high schools is a significant issue, where education in Perth and other southern towns is considered by many to be superior to the education received in the Pilbara. In many cases there is no option other than to send children in the high school student cohort away for schooling, as is the case in Pannawonica.

It is anticipated that increased future demand for education facilities will generally be met by augmenting existing school facilities, with demountable classrooms and associated structures.

For instance in the case of the planned expansion to Wickham, high school children would most likely be bussed to Karratha.

Provision for a new primary school has been made in the Baynton West residential subdivision in Karratha and there may be a need for a new primary school in South Hedland.

The development of an education precinct at the site of the Karratha TAFE campus represents a collaborative partnership between Karratha Senior High School, Pilbara TAFE, Curtin University of Technology and the Australian Technical College Pilbara. It is anticipated that this will offer a higher threshold of secondary and tertiary education to the residents of the Nickol Bay area.

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Pilbrara Framework Settlement structure

It is anticipated there may be a need for a second high school in Port Hedland (state or private)(Table 5.12).

It is not anticipated that there will be a need for additional TAFE colleges. The focus will be on expanded course choice and associated facilities and accommodation. An upgraded regional campus – university nexus will need to be developed.

Table 5.12: Pilbara education facilities status and number: 2020 Primary schools Settlement Existing Potential Existing Cossack 0 0 Dampier 1 1 Karratha 5 6 Marble Bar 1 1 Newman 2 2 Nullagine 1 1 Onslow 1 1 Pannawonica 1 0 Paraburdoo 1 1 Point Samson 0 0 Port Hedland 5 6 Roebourne 1 1 Tom Price 2 2 Wickham 1 1 Total 22 23

Secondary schools Potential 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 5

TAFE colleges Potential

Existing 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 6

0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 8

0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 8

Note: TAFE colleges to be verified

5.6.3 Childcare

• Shire of Roebourne: 465 places

The majority of community and stakeholder surveys in the Pilbara in recent years have highlighted the need for improved childcare services. The Pilbara has a chronic shortage of childcare facilities, even prior to the region’s recent rapid expansion. The situation is exacerbated by the region’s demographic profile, characterised by a high workforce participation rate, coupled with low numbers of extended family.

• Town of Port Hedland: 241 places It is estimated that daycare facilities in Newman and Port Hedland have waiting lists of 18 months.

The Pilbara has a markedly lower proportion of its population in the 55+ age group (9% in the Pilbara compared with 23% nationally), who traditionally provide support to adult children with care of the grandchildren. The region has 13 long-day and 15 family daycare centres (essential for female workforce participation); and four occasional care centres, with six centres offering after school care and 15 family daycare (Table 5.13). In May 2007, the region’s local government authorities had the following childcare waiting lists : • Shire of Ashburton: 40 places • Shire of East Pilbara: 58 places

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The prime issues governing childcare provision are licensing, land and building, staffing – attraction and retention (remuneration and housing) and industry engagement.

Industry engagement and support From a productivity perspective, childcare places are highly valued by industry. 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 $1 million. 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 (Pilbara Dialogue 2008).

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Table 5.13: Pilbara childcare centres: 2008 Long-day care Settlement No. of centres No. of places Dampier 1 17 Karratha 2 74 Marble Bar Newman 1 33 Nullagine Onslow Pannawonica 1 28 Paraburdoo 1 23 Point Samson Port Hedland 1 38 South Hedland 3 141 Roebourne 1 20 Tom Price 1 36 Wickham 1 24 Total 13 432

Occasional care No. of centres No. of places 2 35 1 26 1 14 4 75

Family daycare No. of centres 7 4 1 1 1 1 15

Outside school hours No of centres 1 1 1 1 1* 1* 6

* Incorporated into â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; long-day careâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; centre building. Source: PDC Licensed Child Care Providers May 2008

During the fiscal year 2006/07, major Pilbara industries provided in excess of $1.5 million for the childcare sector (based on figures for two of the three largest companies and excluding other funding and support to early years and child health). Work on new childcare centres has been commenced in Newman (150 places) and in Port Hedland (120 places). Both projects have been funded

by BHP Billiton Iron Ore and will be operated by YMCA Perth.

5.6.4 Community safety Police stations and courthouses: Police stations are located in 14 of the Pilbara settlements and courthouse functions are located in 11 of them (Table 5.14).

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Roebourne Regional Prison: Roebourne Regional Prison, located between Roebourne and Wickham, opened in 1984 after the old Roebourne Gaol was closed. A larger facility was needed to service the growing community, following the expansion of mining and pastoral industries in the 1970s and 1980s. The prison originally managed 70 minimum-security prisoners, but was upgraded to medium-security in 1995. The prison, which also manages the Millstream work camp, has a current capacity of 116 prisoners.

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Table 5.14: Pilbara police stations and courthouses Settlement Station Status Dampier Station Karratha New station (under construction) Marble Bar Station Newman New station Nullagine Station Onslow Station Pannawonica Station Paraburdoo Station Point Samson Port Hedland Station South Hedland New station (under construction) Roebourne Station Tom Price Station Wickham Station Jigalong Station

Courthouse Courthouse Courthouse Courthouse Courthouse Courthouse in station in station Courthouse Courthouse Courthouse in station

Sworn Officers 4 29 4 19 3 5 2 2 0 3 50 13 8 3 2

Source: WA Police: Karratha District Office 2008

5.6.5 Recreation

The Pilbara towns have a very high level of recreational facility provision, particularly floodlit ovals and Olympic-sized swimming pools. These were provided to the young workers and their families to compensate for the lack of the normal range of leisure, recreation and cultural opportunities, usually found in the metropolitan area or large country town. In the inland towns, large-format swimming pools were considered a necessity.

Table 5.15: Pilbara town major recreation facilities Settlement Indoor sports Fully lit ovals complex Dampier Karratha Marble Bar Newman Nullagine Onslow Pannawonica Paraburdoo Point Samson Port Hedland Roebourne Tom Price Wickham Total

1 1

According to national standards, the Pilbara population catchment would warrant one 50-metre swimming pool at the best. The Pilbara towns have a total of five â&#x20AC;&#x201C; two of them located in Port Hedland (Table 5.15). Many of the facilities were constructed in the 1970s, using best practice for the period. They are now requiring upgrade or replacement.

Swimming pools 50m

2 3 1 2

25m

1 5

Harbour 1

Boat ramp 3 2

1

2

1 1

2 5

1 5

1 15

1 1 1

1 1 1 2

Marine facilities

1 1

3 1 1 1 17

2 1 1 4

5

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Pilbrara Framework Settlement structure

Pilbara recreation patterns The Pilbara’s high daytime temperatures generally discourage daytime active sport participation, as well as walking and cycling to schools and local centres. Active sport usually takes place in the evenings, whilst walking and cycling tends to take place in the early mornings as well as the evenings. Greater participation in active recreation throughout the day does, however, occur in the cooler winter months. The demand for open space and recreation facilities in the Pilbara is a function of recreation trends, the town’s demographic profiles, as well as their topographic and climatic contexts. The arid climate of the Pilbara imposes a significant constraint on use patterns and the provision of open space and recreation facilities.

The following general trends are considered to influence the provision of recreation facilities: • a significant and continuing rise in the demand for sport and recreation opportunities; • a demand for a greater diversity of sport and recreation opportunities and venues which permit a greater diversity of socially-oriented, healthy activities; Table 5.16: Boat ownership by settlement: 2006 Settlement: Post code Registered boats Onslow (6710) Dampier (6713) Karratha (6714) Pannawonica (6716) Wickham/Point Samson (6720) Port Hedland (6721) South Hedland (6722) Tom Price (6751) Newman (6753) Paraburdoo (6754) Total

76 280 1506 62 228 393 464 104 91 66 3270

• a greater emphasis on cultural, non-competitive and passive sport and recreation opportunities; • expectations of higher standards of facilities and of quality programming, servicing and management; • expectations that facilities and programs will have safe and convenient access; and • higher rates of participation and levels of use.

The long working hours (often on a rotating shift basis), experienced by a large segment of the Pilbara population significantly reduce the capacity to engage in active recreation pursuits on a regular basis. This work pattern also affects a large proportion of the region's high school students, as many of them are employed by the retail sector at weekends, thus limiting their availability to make use of the towns’ recreational facilities.

This shortage of discretionary leisure time also has implications for adult volunteers coaching youth sports teams and other community activities, such as scouts.

Residents

Households

845 1,371 11 805 686 2095 4011 7834 2,721 5,196 1,940 38504

518 457 4512 232 789 1815 2813 999 1663 693 14491

% Residents owning boats 9.0% 20.4% 12.8% 9.0% 10.9% 9.8% 5.9% 3.8% 1.8% 3.4% 8.5%

% Household owning boats 14.7% 61.3% 33.4% 26.7% 28.9% 21.7% 16.5% 10.4% 5.5% 9.5% 22.6%

Source: DPI Boat Registrations 2006; Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census Postal Areas

Marine recreation: The coast is an important focus for recreation for coastal and inland communities. The ownership of registered boats indicates high boating activity by the coastal residents of Dampier, Karratha, Wickham/Point Samson and Port Hedland.

With its relatively easy access to Onslow and Exmouth, the inland town of Pannawonica also has a high rate of boat ownership – higher than Port Hedland. However, because of the distance to the sea, the other inland towns have a much lower boat ownership rate (Table 5.16).

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5.6.6 Government administration and services Government regional office headquarters have tended to be located in either Port Hedland or Karratha in an attempt to maintain equality (Table 5.17).

In addition to these headquarters, a range of other services is available both in the regional centres and some of the other towns e.g. libraries, telecentres, Australia Post and Centrelink.

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Pilbrara Framework Settlement structure

Table 5.17: Location of government agency regional headquarters Karratha/Dampier Department of Education and Training DPI Licensing and Regional Planning Department of Environment and Conservation Department of Agriculture and Food Department of Fisheries Department of Sport and Recreation Department of Water Pilbara Police Headquarters Community and Juvenile Justice Dampier Port Authority Dept of Consumer and Employment Protection Department of Corrective Services Water Corporation FESA Horizon Power Pilbara TAFE ABC Regional Radio Station Commonwealth Customs and Excise(Dampier) Australian Quarantine Pilbara Regiment

Port Hedland/South Hedland WA Country Health Service Main Roads WA Pilbara Development Commission Department of Housing and Works Department of Indigenous Affairs Pilbara Regional Hospital Port Hedland Port Authority Bureau of Meteorology Legal Aid WA Department for Child Protection Aboriginal Legal Services Pilbara Community and Aged Care Services Indigenous Coordination centre Commonwealth Customs and Excise

5.6.7 Retail facilities During 2006/07 retail turnover in the Pilbara region was estimated at $399.5 million, an increase of 10% over previous years (Department of Local Government and Regional Development 2008). Retail facilities in the Pilbara are concentrated in Karratha and Port Hedland, with Karratha having the advantage of a single concentrated centre, thus achieving a higher threshold of provision. Retail facilities in both regional centres are anticipated to expand, with both centres extending the range and standard of merchandising. Neighbourhood shopping centres in both Karratha and Port Hedland have proved to be unviable.

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There are subregional retail centres at Newman and Tom Price, both of which require refurbishment, if not redevelopment.

The Newman centre is anticipated to experience an expansion in retail floorspace, as is Tom Price. The neighbourhood centre at Wickham is anticipated to experience an expansion, while Dampier, Pannawonica and Paraburdoo are expected to decline, in line with Rio Tinto Iron Oreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans for the settlements. The local centres of Roebourne, Marble Bar and Nullagine are expected to remain more or less the same in size. The local and leisure retail centre at Point Samson is anticipated to expand marginally and the proposed heritage-tourism resort at Cossack is anticipated to have a modest leisure-retail component (Table 5.18).

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Table 5.18: Pilbara towns retail status and size : 2020 Settlement Retail status Existing retail floorspace m2 Cossack Resort leisure retail 0 Dampier Neighbourhood 3000 Karratha Regional hub centre 34 330 Marble Bar Local 430 Newman Sub regional centre 8 600 Nullagine Local 460 Onslow Local 1140 Pannawonica Neighbourhood 950 Paraburdoo Neighbourhood 2430 Point Samson Local and leisure retail 250 Port Hedland Regional centre 34 000 Roebourne Local 1010 Tom Price Sub regional centre 7800 Wickham Neighbourhood 2750 Total 97 150

Potential retail floorspace m2 200 2000 48 000 430 12 000 400 3000 700 2000 300 50 000 1200 8250 3250 131 730

Scale of development Ancillary to resort function Downsized retail function Expanded retail function Status quo Expanded retail function Status quo Minor retail expansion Downsized retail function Downsized retail function Minor retail expansion Expanded retail function Minor retail expansion Retail expansion Minor retail expansion

Source: DPI Pilbara Regional Planners 2008

5.7 Urban infrastructure The majority of urban infrastructure supply and demand issues have been addressed in Chapter 3: Regional Infrastructure. There are, however, two elements relevant to the urban context: town public transport and wastewater reticulation and treatment.

5.7.1 Town public transport Currently only Port Hedland has a semblance of a public transport system, operating between South Hedland and Port Hedland.

Karratha operates a community weekend bus service between Dampier and Point Samson. With the influx of overseas workers, consideration will need to be given to augmenting these services.

There are 24 licensed taxis in Port Hedland and 21 in Karratha, with 2-3 in the townships of Newman, Tom Price and Onslow.

These tend to have a reputation for unreliability. This will need to be addressed when the population of Port Hedland and Karratha grow towards the 20 000 residents threshold.

5.7.2 Wastewater The Pilbara’s towns, with the possible exception of Karratha, all have significant short-term issues with wastewater reticulation and treatment (Table 5.19)

Table 5.19: Pilbara town waste water reticulation and treatment Settlement Current status Dampier Aging reticulation – treatment plant augmentation required Karratha Generally adequate system – treatment plant augmentation required Marble Bar No reticulated wastewater system Newman Generally adequate system – treatment plant augmentation required Nullagine No reticulated wastewater system Onslow Aging reticulation – treatment plant augmentation required Pannawonica Aging reticulation Paraburdoo Aging reticulation Point Samson No reticulated wastewater system Port Hedland Variable quality - reticulation system required in hospital area Roebourne Aging reticulation – treatment plant augmentation required Tom Price Aging reticulation – treatment plant augmentation required Wickham Aging reticulation – treatment plant augmentation required Source: Water Corporation and Pilbara local government authorities – to be reviewed

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5.8 Land supply

Karratha/Dampier

The supply of developable land varies considerably between the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s townsites. The key hotspots currently undergoing pressure for urban development are Karratha, Port Hedland and to a lesser extent Newman.

Residential development in Karratha is focussing on its new western suburbs of Nickol and Baynton (Table 5.21).

5.8.1 Residential land The supply and demand situation for residential land in the Pilbara hotspot towns is summarised in Table 5.20. The future demand estimates are based on the PICC population projections to 2020.

Future supply: Once the current 2900 dwelling capacity has been exhausted (in about 15 years at current construction rates), there will be a need to consider developing residential neighbourhoods to the south of the Karratha Hills. If the potential capacity at Mulataga is not realised, then the move to the south may need to be considered sooner.

Current demand projections indicate that Port Hedland will be under considerable pressure for suitably zoned residential land by 2020.

Table 5.20: Demand for residential land Town Karratha Census pop 2006 (residents) 13 098.0 Estimated additional population 2006 0.0 Dwellings required 0.0 Occupancy rate 2006 Census 2.8 Ha res land required (9dw per ha) 0.0 Additional population 2010 (PICC) 1638.0 Dwellings required 585.0 Occupancy rate 2006 Census 2.8 Ha res land required (9dw per ha) 65.0 Additional population 2015 (PICC) 971.0 Dwellings required 347.0 Occupancy rate 2006 Census 2.8 Ha res land required (9dw per ha) 39.0 Additional population 2020 (PICC) 0.0 Dwellings required 0.0 Occupancy rate 2006 Census 2.8 Ha res land required (9dw per ha) 0.0 Total new population 2609.0 Total new dwellings required 932.0 Total residential land required 104.0 Vacant residential zoned land 255.5 Surplus zoned land remaining 151.5

Hedland 11 557.0 721.0 267.0 2.7 30.0 1306.0 484.0 2.7 54.0 2462.0 912.0 2.7 101.0 780.0 289.0 2.7 32.0 5269.0 1951.0 217.0 111.7 -105.3

Newman 4247.0 1381.0 493.0 2.8 55.0 -303.0 -108.0 2.8 -12.0 714.0 255.0 2.8 28.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 0.0 1792.0 640.0 71.0 72.0 1.0

Onslow 574.0 780.0 339.0 2.3 38.0 1155.0 502.0 2.3 56.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 0.0 1935.0 841.0 93.0 93.8 0.8

Tom Price 2721.0 0.0 0.0 2.9 0.0 768.0 265.0 2.9 29 433.0 149.0 2.9 17.0 31.0 11.0 2.9 1.0 1232.0 425.0 47.0 10.5 -36.5

Wickham 2682.00 336.00 103.00 3.25 11.00 975.00 300.00 3.25 33.00 0..00 0.00 3.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.25 0.00 1311.00 403.00 45.00 153.45 108.45

Note: Figures in table to be reviewed

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Table 5.21: Karratha future residential land release Project Location Zoning KA03 Baynton West Urban development KA07A Nickol West Urban development KA07B Nickol West Rural KA15 Mulataga Urban development KA17 Gap Ridge Urban development Total

Short Term (0-2 yrs) 400 243 0 0 0 643

Medium Term (2-5yrs) 454 0 223 0 0 677

Long Term (5yrs+) 0 0 0 1000 600 1600

Medium Term (2-5yrs) 0 0 0 0 117 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 131

Long Term (5yrs+) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Source: DPI/LandCorp: Karratha Regional Hotspots Land Supply Update 2008

Port Hedland Current and future residential land in Port Hedland tends to be in small enclaves, both with a strong focus on South Hedland. Future supply is predominantly for the short term, with little identified for the longer term (Table 5.22). A model housing project is the St Ceciliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 45 dwelling medium-density development at Cooke Point, being constructed by BHP Billiton Iron Ore. Table 5.22: Port Hedland future residential land release Project Location Zoning PH08B Pretty Pool Rural PH19 Cooke Point Residential PH26 Port Hedland Residential SH09 South Hedland Residential SH18B South Hedland Urban development SH18C South Hedland Urban development SH18D South Hedland Urban development SH21 South Hedland Urban development SH23 South Hedland Residential SH24 South Hedland Residential SH26 South Hedland Urban development SH29A South Hedland Residential SH29B South Hedland Residential SH30B South Hedland Residential SH38 South Hedland Urban development SH39 South Hedland Residential SH40 South Hedland Residential SH41 South Hedland Residential SH42 South Hedland Residential SH44 South Hedland Residential SH47 South Hedland Residential SH48 South Hedland Residential Total

Short Term (0-2 yrs) 78 45 5 9 0 151 109 29 16 50 27 20 17 17 8 5 24 0 12 4 11 10 647

Source: DPI/LandCorp: Karratha Regional Hotspots Land Supply Update 2008

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Newman A total of 142 new dwellings have been identified for the short term in Newman, with a further potential dwellings planned for construction at East Newman in the longer term (Table 5.23).

Table 5.23: Newman future residential land release Project Location Zoning NEWM02 East Newman Residential NEWM03 South Newman Residential NEWM04 North Newman Residential NEWM05 North Newman Residential Total

Short-term (0-2 yrs) 0 58 68 16 142

Medium-term (2-5yrs) 0 0 0 0 0

Long -term (5yrs+) 384 0 0 0 384

Source: DPI/LandCorp: Karratha Regional Hotspots Land Supply Update 2008

Other Pilbara settlements An indication of residential land capacity in the other Pilbara settlements is provided in Table 5.24.

Table 5.24: Residential land capacity (ha) Settlement Residential Cossack 0.0 Dampier 49.6 Karratha 266.3 Marble Bar 21.9 Newman 199.2 Nullagine 0.0 Onslow 25.6 Pannawonica 0.0 Paraburdoo 134.4 Point Samson 11.3 Port Hedland 365.2 Roebourne 46.5 Tom Price 120.0 Wickham 57.5 Total 1297.4

Urban development 0.0 23.5 1391.7 0.0 0.0 8.2 34.7 69.5 0.0 4.9 115.3 70.4 0.0 107.8 1825.9

Transient workforce accomm.

0.0 0.0 22.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.2 0.0 0.0 14.2 42.7

Total 0.0 73.1 1680.3 21.9 199.2 8.2 60.3 69.5 134.4 16.1 486.7 116.9 120.0 179.5 3166.0

Capacity situation None Limited Good Very Limited Limited Very Limited Limited None Very Limited Very Limited Good Limited Limited Good

Source: WAPC - Local Planning Schemes 2007

5.8.2 Industrial land The key regional hotspots for industrial land are: Karratha/ Dampier, Port Hedland and Newman. Map 25 shows the location of the region’s strategic industrial areas. (SIAs) at Port Hedland, Cape Lambert, Dampier, Cape Preston and Onslow.

Karratha/Dampier Support industrial areas: The following new industrial areas have been identified as industrial support areas for the Burrup minerals and hydrocarbon processing and export and are being developed by LandCorp:

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• light industrial area extension (24 ha): provides much needed small to medium sized light industrial lots for service industries; and • Burrup Support Industry Land (196 ha): provides a mix of lot sizes from light industrial area to super lot sizes.

Strategic industrial areas: Strategic industrial areas in the Karratha/ Dampier area include: • Mount Anketell Industrial Area: 4000 ha; • Maitland Industrial Area: 2500 ha; and • Burrup Industrial Areas: 1400 ha.

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Other Pilbara settlements

Table 5.25: Karratha new industrial areas New Industrial Gross Net Area No. Lots Area Area ha Ha Karratha light industrial area Burrup support industry land Total

Average Lot Size Lot Size Range Ha Ha 39 0.51 0.2 - 1.3

24

19.9

196

164.8

83

1.99 0.4 - 34.7

220

184.7

122

1.51 0.2 - 34.7

Port Hedland Support industrial areas: LandCorp is currently undertaking investigations to determine the feasibility and capacity of the following areas: • Wedgefield industrial area extension: 200 ha; • General industry/transport area:190 ha; and • light industrial area: 80 ha.

Strategic industrial areas: The following large potential industrial is being considered as backup to the port’s activities: • Boodarie industrial area: 3,000 ha (includes 200 ha for noxious industries).

In addition to these areas, the Port Authority is planning significant port-related industrial and storage areas as part of its Ultimate Development Plan.

Newman

An indication of industrial land capacity in the other Pilbara settlements is provided in Table 5.26.

Table 5.26: Industrial land capacity (ha) Strategic Industry Industry Total Capacity situation industry mixed business Cossack 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Dampier 103.4 0.0 0.0 103.4 Karratha 196.6 182.9 0.0 379.5 Marble Bar 0.0 2.4 0.0 2.4 Newman 0.0 52.0 0.0 52.0 Nullagine 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Onslow 11.5 11.1 0.0 22.6 Pannawonica 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Paraburdoo 0.0 4.8 0.0 4.8 Point Samson 0.0 4.8 0.0 4.8 Port Hedland 1557.8 202.3 0.0 1760.0 Roebourne 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Tom Price 37.1 0.0 19.5 56.6 Wickham 0.0 8.2 0.0 8.2 Total 1906.4 468.4 19.5 2394.2 Source: WAPC - Local Planning Schemes 2007

Currently LandCorp is developing and planning the following stages of the Newman light industrial area: Stage 1: 7 ha (released in 2007) Stage 2: 4.5 ha Stage 3: 15.0 ha

Stage 4: 6.0 ha Additional potential industrial areas have been identified to the west of the original Newman industrial area, and a significantly larger site to the south-west of the townsite. These areas will be subject to rezoning.

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6. Pilbara land management 6.1 Land use pattern 6.1.1 Introduction The previous sections of this document have, for the most part, focussed on the region’s urban centres. It is important that the settlements are viewed within the context of the region’s rangelands and wilderness areas, since they are inextricably linked to the human activities and biophysical dynamics that determine the state of the region’s environment. The settlement’s ecological footprint extends far beyond the boundaries of the townsites. The content of this section draws, to a large extent, on the work being undertaken by the Pilbara Living Country Working Group (2008).

Land tenure The Pilbara has a total land area of 507 896 km2. Unallocated Crown land accounts for the majority of the region’s land surface (61%), followed by pastoral leases. Some of the tenure categories have significant overlaps, as evident in Table 6.1.

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Table 6.1: Pilbara tenure pattern Land Tenure Pastoral leases Mining tenements National parks and conservation reserves Aboriginal land Urban areas (all settlements) Strategic industrial sites Unallocated crown land Total land tenure components (with overlaps) Total Pilbara land area:

%

km2 166 846 32 085 33 695 86 054 452 44 495 918 815 094 507 896

20.5 3.9 4.1 10.6 0.1 0.0 60.8 100.0

Source: DPI Mapping and Spatial Data 2008 – needs to be reconciled with DEC land database

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6.2 Pastoral land Pastoral leases account for 14.8 million hectares, representing approximately 21% of the Pilbara region. The first pastoral lease in the North West (De Grey Station) was taken up by Walter Padbury in 1863, based on wool production with few cattle. Today the emphasis is on beef production with few sheep.

Pastoral stations range in size from 23 969 hectares to 436 660 hectares, with the mean being 220 866 hectares (Table 6.2).

Currently there are 67 pastoral enterprises in the Pilbara (45 familyowned, 10 aboriginal-managed, DEC-owned, and nine mining company-owned).

Table 6.2: Pilbara pastoral stations: 2008 Sub-region Pastoral Total Mean stations pastoral pastoral No. lease area station (ha) size (ha) West Pilbara 24 4 584 710 191 030 Central Pilbara 12 2 839 905 236 659 East Pilbara 31 7 373 397 237 852 Pilbara Region 67 14 798 012 220 866

Minimum pastoral station size (ha) 55 978 105 317 23 969 23 969

Maximum pastoral station size (ha) 346 051 388 187 436 660 436 660

Source: Department of Agriculture and Food: 2008

Pastoralists rely on the grazing of native shrubs and grasses for production of stock, primarily cattle. The growth and health of pastures rely on the rainfall and careful grazing management. The most productive pastoral lands tend to be the flood plain areas such as the Roebourne and Fortescue plains subregions due to subdued topography, soil fertility, access to water and abundant grass species.

6.2.1 Economic significance The Pilbara was founded on the pastoral industry. When settlers recognised the environmental conditions as being generally unfavourable to producing crops, and prior to the resources boom of the 1960s, the pastoral industry was the mainstay of the economy. In 2007-08 there were approximately 350 000 head of cattle in the Pilbara – predominantly Brahman, shorthorn and droughtmaster breeds. In that year, cattle disposals for meat were valued at $## million.

During the last ten years, the annual value of cattle disposals has fluctuated, although there has been a general upward trend, with the trade in live cattle exports providing a boost for the industry.

In 1996, 12 891 head of cattle were exported through Port Hedland. By 2001 this had increased to 62 294 and in 2006 this had grown to ######. Most cattle are exported to Indonesia and Malaysia, followed by the Philippines and the Middle East.

Until the mid-1990s sheep contributed to the region’s pastoral income, through meat sales, live export and wool. However, low wool prices, higher costs (both labour and infrastructure), lower tolerance to predation by wild dogs and droughts contributed to

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the decline in sheep numbers. Only two stations in the southwest of the region currently stock sheep.

Up to half of the road transport of livestock each year is to the port of Port Hedland. The remainder of the livestock, transported by road, travels to Perth along North West Coastal Highway and Great Northern Highway (Main Roads WA 2008).

In addition to the economic value of pastoralism, the industry has contributed to the state’s rich cultural heritage and to a broader land management of the region. Pastoral communities make important contributions to maintaining infrastructure throughout the Rangelands, such as roads and airstrips, which provide benefits to other industries such as tourism. Three stations provide ‘station-stay’ accommodation for tourists: Mount Florance, Pardoo and Indee.

6.2.2 Pastoral land management Pastoralists value the natural assets upon which their industry is based. Grazing management strategies, land and vegetation monitoring sites, drought strategies, research and development are all common components of the modern pastoral industry.

There is a greater awareness of the link between biodiversity, productivity and healthy country amongst pastoralists and the need for ‘pre-emptive’ management. Many pastoralists are already investing considerable time and money into improved land management practices, which have contributed to improved range condition and productivity.

All pastoral leases are administered by the Pastoral Lands Board under the Land Administration Act 1998. Lease conditions require the land is managed to ensure the conservation and regeneration of vegetation and the board requires that all pastoral leases are maintained as bona fide pastoral operations. Any changes to the types of activities to be carried out on pastoral leases must also be approved by the Pastoral Lands Board.

A fundamental management issue throughout pastoral areas is matching animal (livestock, feral and native) numbers and feed availability, to land capability. Critical components of this include the timing, length and spatial distribution of grazing, with management for drought being particularly important.

Traditionally, permanent post and wire fencing has been used to control animals. However, the high cost of maintenance and lack of labour have meant that much of this infrastructure has been allowed to deteriorate and grazing control is now often achieved through the control of watering points. The Pastoral Lands Board has best practice management guidelines for cattle grazing and fire in the Pilbara.

Trials are being undertaken with pastoralists in the GascoyneMurchison of a system of Ecologically Sustainable Rangeland Management (ESRM). The system aims to build on the popular Ecosystem Management Unit (EMU) process that ran from 2000 to 2005. The program facilitated partnerships between ecologists

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and pastoralists, and aimed to acknowledge and manage for values other than pasture production. Depending on the success of the trials, ESRM could be applied to pastoralism in the Pilbara.

It should be noted that the level of activity on individual pastoral leases may depend on ownership. For example, a number of stations in the Pilbara have been purchased by mining companies to ensure access to specific areas for exploration, mining and infrastructure. In many cases these stations are stocked to minimum levels as defined by the lease.

6.3.1 Mining tenements Much of the Pilbara is subject to mining tenement claims by mining companies. The types of activities carried out on mining tenements vary from low-impact prospecting to large-scale exploration, mining and mineral processing. Although the impacts of these activities are often localised, there is potential for cumulative impacts as well as impacts on significant sites with high biodiversity values.

The Department of Agriculture and Food provides rangeland monitoring using the Western Australia Rangelands Monitoring System (WARMS), condition assessment and lease inspection services to the Board under a Memorandum of Understanding, as it has a strategic objective to demonstrate an upward trend in range condition. Condition assessment of the 65 pastoral leases in the Pilbara is carried out every six years.

This is particularly the case for wetland and riparian assets such as the Fortescue marsh and Weeli Wolli Spring, and other sites such as Munjina claypan and the Hamersley grassland communities. There is continuing and significant growth in the number of mining and associated activities being carried out in areas adjacent to these environments. Additionally, rehabilitation of these types of environments is not yet fully understood and successful recovery has not yet been demonstrated.

6.3 Mining land

Mine environmental footprint

The Pilbara is one of the largest mineral provinces in the world.

A significant portion of the Pilbara is under mining tenement, although only a small portion is the subject of exploration and mining activities. The processes associated with mineral exploration, extraction and processing significantly modify the landscape, through the removal of native vegetation, disruptions to surface water flows, development of open pit and underground mines and the building of supporting infrastructure.

A recent example of a mineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environmental footprint is provided in the Rio Tinto Marandoo Mine Phase 2 Public Environmental Review (2008). The proposal seeks to dewater the same ore body so that mining can take place below the water table, maintaining the rate of production at approximately 15 million tonnes per annum for up to 20 years. The annual yield of 15 mtpa will result in the clearance and/or disturbance of some 940 hectares of vegetation and greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 190,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum (Table 6.3).

Table 6.3: Marandoo Mine Phase 2 - environmental footprint Proposal Characteristic Detail Total area of vegetation disturbance: Clearing of approximately 940 ha within the area Localised impact to riparian vegetation along drainage lines Ore location: Above and below watertable Waste rock disposal: In surface dumps and/or progressive backfilling of mine pits within the area Water disposal: Re-injection in the vicinity of the southern Fortescue bore field.

Discharge to drainage lines Off-site discharge of stormwater from the mine pit at locations Slurry from wet processing ore: Residue storage facility Greenhouse gases: Greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 190,000t CO2 -e/yr Source: Rio Tinto 2008

The PER makes provision for the rehabilitation of the site at end of mine life and this will be formalised by minister for the environment conditions.

have been undertaken without the development trigger of the resource sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities. These studies have arguably contributed significantly to our environmental knowledge of the Pilbara.

6.3.2 Resource sector contributions

Mining activity has resulted in the establishment of the majority of the towns in the region, and has caused the development of utility and community infrastructure for both residents and visitors to the Pilbara. The current network of sealed roads would not be in place without mining activities.

Depending on the company involved, a variety of biodiversityrelated activities are carried out on mining tenements, including flora and fauna surveys, monitoring and research. The majority of the studies of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biophysical environment would not

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6.4 Conservation land

Millstream-Chichester National Park

Establishment of a formal conservation reserve system, where there is long-term statutory protection and public accountability of management, remains the cornerstone for biodiversity conservation in WA. Terrestrial reserved areas are vested in the Conservation Commission and DEC is responsible for their management. Management of the conservation reserves is outlined in individual management plans.

Millstream-Chichester National Park (1997 km2) comprises a landscape of rolling hills, spectacular escarpments and winding tree-lined watercourses. It contains part of the Fortescue River, where permanent pools are fed by underground springs. It includes clay tablelands and sediment-capped basalt ranges, and part of the Chichester Range. The park features the Millstream wetlands, which support many plant, bird and insect species, some of which are related to species in the tropical Kimberley region.

The Millstream aquifer also forms part of the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme. The park was a focal point for the Yinjibarndi people and was an important camp site for inter-tribal meetings.

In recent history the park was part of the Millstream Pastoral Station, which was first taken up in 1865, and operated as a sheep station until the mid 1960s. A significant attraction for KarrathaDampier residents, the park attracted 24 000 visitors in 2006/07.

Karijini National Park

With a total area of 6274 km2, Karijini National Park is WA’s second largest national park. It contains many spectacular features and a variety of rugged landscapes. The plateau consists of rounded hills and ranges, divided by valleys and deeply incised gorges, which include: Wittenoom, Yampire, Joffre, Weano, Mt Meharry, Mt Bruce and Dales Gorges. The Banjima, Innawonga and Kurrama Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the park. The park has a primary land use of conservation, although it is also recognised for its aboriginal heritage values and recreational use. There are several major iron ore deposits within the park boundaries which are the subject of state agreements. The park’s permanent visitors’ centre was opened in June 2001. The attractive Karijini Eco-Retreat, established in 2006/07, is 100% owned by the local Gumala Aboriginal Corporation. The park attracted 114 000 visitors in 2006/07.

Although reserves or proposed reserves are present in all of the Pilbara sub-regions, no systematic approach has been taken to the establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative (CAR) reserve system across the entire region. The CAR system, endorsed by all Australian governments, addresses the requirements of all the component ecosystems to ensure the greatest probability of long-term survival of native species, communities and ecosystems.

As the CAR system has not been established in the Pilbara, the reserve system cannot be classified as biologically representative of the region. Even though biodiversity has been a major consideration when making additions to the reserve system, land for reservation has been selected opportunistically through pastoral purchases/acquisition, and in response to political and visitor management issues.

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The internationally recognised standard of between 10 and 15% reservation of each bioregion has been achieved only in the Hamersley sub-region of the Pilbara. This target will still not be reached in the other subregions following the 2015 pastoral lease resumptions. A number of areas around Karijini National Park, the Fortescue marsh and Cane River, have recently been negotiated for resumption in 2015 when pastoral leases expire statewide.

Additionally, the new Murujuga National Park will add to reserves of the Dampier Archipelago.

Rudall River National Park

Rudall River is WA’s largest national park (12 837km2) and the second largest in Australia. Most of it is arid or semi-arid desert and is located north-east of Newman. Whilst this is a remote and largely arid area with limited tourist use, should mineral development projects adjacent to Rudall River National Park proceed, this will open the area up for tourism and provide infrastructure, which may support increased visitation.

Other areas of land with a component of biodiversity conservation include timber reserves and water reserves.

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6.5 Aboriginal land

6.6 Urban areas

Indigenous people have access to lands through a number of mechanisms including:

The majority of the region’s residents live within urban areas in the western third of the Pilbara. The region’s mainstream towns account for approximately 390 km2 or 0.1 % of the region’s land area.

• pastoral businesses; • statutory provisions (indigenous land use agreements) intended to enable access to the natural resources associated with pastoral leases and the facilitation of agreements with other landholders (especially pastoralists) to enhance the access of Indigenous people to all Crown lands; • Native title; • joint management arrangements for lands in the conservation estate – park councils; and • aboriginal reserves (administered by the Aboriginal Lands Trust).

Cultural and heritage sites are also protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. Many cultural sites are related to biodiversity values of particular sites.

An example of pastoral business activity is the Ngarda Ngarli Yarndu Foundation, which manages the Pilbara Cattle Cooperative ‘s 10 pastoral stations.

Indigenous peoples’ contemporary land uses, aspirations and legally protected interests have evolved from pre-colonial patterns of land ownership. Unique knowledge, interests and concerns regarding the use of land and water resources are preserved and transmitted within the indigenous community and could have major benefits for other stakeholders, in particular land managers.

There is little documented knowledge or processes identified for the use of traditional knowledge. Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation has published a number of books in recent times that document the values the local Yindjibarndi have for natural resources, in particular flora and fauna and sites such as Millstream.

There are also significant issues in determining appropriate consultation processes, when attempting to plan for or implement land management activities. This is due to the large number of indigenous groups in the Pilbara with conflicting and localised views, and complex social structures.

6.6.1 Main settlements The total townsite areas incorporate substantial areas of nonurban land uses, such as rural and recreation and conservation land uses. Overall the urban component of the urban areas accounts for only 31 per cent of the townsite areas (Table 6.4). In the majority of cases there is ample land for urban expansion.

However, much of this land is constrained by natural hazards (storm surge inundation); difficult terrain and geotechnical issues; conservation values (rare and threaten species) and cultural constraints (native title and places of cultural heritage significance).

Table 6.4: Pilbara townsite areas Town Urban Urban area Ha area % West Pilbara Dampier Karratha Onslow Pannawonica Point Samson Roebourne Wickham Central Pilbara Paraburdoo Tom Price East Pilbara Marble Bar Newman Nullagine Port Hedland Pilbara Total

Nonurban area ha

Nonurban area %

Total townsite area Ha

268 2351 375 69 34 897 309

57% 20% 73% 3% 46% 64% 56%

198 9376 139 2,690 40 495 157

43% 80% 27% 97% 54% 36% 44%

466 11 727 514 2759 74 1392 466

265 637

20% 9%

1032 6083

80% 91%

1297 6720

52 400 58 6502 12 217

26% 25% 12% 58% 31%

146 1206 443 4728 26 733

74% 75% 88% 42% 69%

198 1606 501 11 230 38 950

Source: DPI Mapping and Spatial Data 2008

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6.6.2 Biophysical constraints The biophysical constraints associated with the development of the mainstream Pilbara towns are summarised in Table 6.5.

An important biophysical consideration for urban development is that the Pilbara towns are typically located in embayments

and near river mouths on the coast and at strategic points on the region’s river systems. They can therefore exert a far greater impact on the region’s biophysical environment than their size would suggest.

Table 6.5: Pilbara townsite environmental development issues Town Biodiversity issue West Pilbara Cossack • increasing use of coastal areas for recreation and associated impacts, such as disturbance of invertebrates and seabird/shorebirds Dampier • increasing use of coastal areas for recreation and associated impacts, such as disturbance of invertebrates and seabird/shorebirds Karratha • disturbance of coastal processes and habitat from encroachment of town on coast, particularly towards the Back Beach (clearing and indirect impacts) • disturbance of mangroves (clearing and indirect impacts) • increasing use of coastal areas for recreation and associated impacts such as disturbance of invertebrates and seabird/shorebirds.

Onslow • nesting turtles along the Onslow coast. Lighting and disturbance issues need to be considered with developments in such close proximity to the coast.

• increasing recreational use of coastal areas and associated impacts such as disturbance of invertebrates and seabird/shorebirds Pannawonica • TBA Point Samson • disturbance of coastal processes and habitat from encroachment of town on coast • disturbance of mangroves (clearing and indirect impacts) • increasing recreational use of coastal areas and associated impacts (disturbance of invertebrates and seabird/shorebirds • acid sulphate soils disturbance Roebourne • TBA Wickham • increasing use of coastal areas for recreation and associated impacts, such as disturbance of invertebrates and seabird/shorebirds Central Pilbara Paraburdoo • TBA Tom Price • TBA East Pilbara Marble Bar • TBA Newman • dust and noise from increased ore handling Nullagine • TBA Port Hedland • dust emissions from mineral export port operation • noise associated with rail and road transport • land use and residential conflict in Wedgefield • light and disturbance impacts on turtle nesting activities (encroachment of housing infrastructure on the coastline) • disturbance of mangroves (clearing and indirect impacts) • increasing recreational use of coastal areas and associated impacts such as disturbance of invertebrates and seabird/shorebirds Source: Adapted from DEC comments 2008

6.7 Unallocated crown land There are large tracts of unallocated Crown land in the Pilbara, particularly on the mountainous areas of the Hamersley ranges.

Unallocated Crown land accounts for 20% of land in the Pilbara and tends to be in areas of hummock grassland. As a result, much of the it is of low-value for grazing and has additional value as essentially unmanaged conservation land. DEC has responsibility for the management of biodiversity, fire, and pest animal and plant management on unallocated Crown land.

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Although these areas are considered not productive enough to support pastoralist activities, they are subject to the granting of mining tenements and subsequent mineral production. These areas represent the main iron ore provinces of the region and will be subject to a considerable amount of mining activity and infrastructure construction in the future. This also has implications for expanding the network of conservation reserves.

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6.8 Land management issues 6.8.1 Human activities and landscape impacts Grazing The process of grazing domesticated herbivores such as cattle, sheep and horses puts significant pressures on many values associated with land in the Pilbara. Damage to vegetation is caused by the occurrence of more animals in the landscape than it can support and this can remove food and shelter for native animal species, and reduce soil quality and stability. Most often, grazing pressure is highest in those parts of the Pilbara where water occurs. The high concentration of animals in these areas (areas already susceptible to erosion) compounds the problem.

Artificial water sources have also been installed to support domestic animals. The concentration of grazing pressures in these areas can cause soil erosion, damage to native vegetation and the spread of weeds.

As well as excessive grazing pressure, inappropriate grazing management can threaten land assets. Not de-stocking in times of drought, or re-stocking immediately following a drought before the vegetation has a chance to recover, can result in declining rangeland condition through erosion and vegetation decline. This also has an impact on soil health with studies showing that where vegetated patches are denuded, the soil loses critical nutrients, infiltration rates decline and biological activity is adversely affected. The introduction of pasture plants such as buffel grass is also a major issue in the Pilbara as it can replace native species.

The resource condition survey carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Food in 2004 found that there was evidence of grazing induced impacts on the Pilbara landscape from: • fence line effects between paddocks; • biomass reduction around watering points; • reduction in palatable species around watering points; • loss of diversity around watering points; and • decline of key plants in preferred grazing communities.

However, the assessment found that 89 per cent of the area surveyed was in fair to good condition from a pastoral perspective, suggesting that most impacts are localised. These areas were primarily along water courses of the Fortescue River. Many plants and animals are also confined to riparian areas and this localised degradation from grazing pressure and introduced plants, particularly the allelopathic (the inhibition of growth of one plant species by another due to its release of toxic chemical substances) buffel grass, may have a disproportionate impact on biodiversity.

Water extraction The growth of the industrial, mining and energy sectors has required large volumes of water to be extracted from aquifers in the Pilbara. Considering the scarce nature of water resources and the tendency for significant biological values to be

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associated with them, this is an important issue. Water use can be consumptive, as is the case with water use at ports and in mineral processing, or it can be non-consumptive, as is the case with dewatering, where water is removed to allow access to an ore body. The removal and discharge of this groundwater can also have a major impact on groundwater-dependent ecosystems, riparian vegetation, culturally important sites and surface water dynamics.

The complexities associated with managing these systems are well illustrated at locations such as Weeli Wolli Spring and Marillana Creek, where multiple companies are involved in water extraction, and both the extraction and the discharge, although in its early stages, have the potential to impact on the numerous aquifers, wetlands and cultural sites. Another example is the extraction of water from the Millstream aquifer to supply the West Pilbara Supply Scheme. When the Harding Dam supply is exhausted, water for the coastal towns and nearby industry around Karratha and Roebourne comes from the Millstream aquifer which feeds the permanent pools at Millstream-Chichester National Park which are the most culturally important sites in the region, as well as being wetlands of national significance.

Water extraction licensing by the DoW (Rights in Water and irrigation Act 1914) and discharge licensing by the DEC (Environmental Protection Act 1986) are the primary mechanisms for water management. However, the need for a collaborative approach to water resource management is highlighted when there are: • • • •

significant conflicting values; potential cumulative impacts; a paucity of knowledge about impacts; and potential knowledge/data can be shared.

Mining, energy and industrial development Although the resources and industrial sectors account for a considerable portion of the Western Australian economy and provide essential jobs, it must be acknowledged that there are impacts on the local environment. The impacts, due to the variety of infrastructure requirements of these projects, are also felt across all landscapes of the Pilbara including terrestrial, coastal and marine. There are a range of impacts including.

• habitat destruction/vegetation clearing; • pollution; • indirect impacts of infrastructure (e.g. drainage shadows); • dredging; • landscape changes (eg. mine voids, creek re-alignments); and • surface and sub-surface hydrology.

The actual area directly impacted by these developments is relatively small compared to the area affected by landscape

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scale processes, such as grazing; however, the impacts can be more acute. In some cases there is also potential for multiple developments to have a cumulative impact on a certain area or landscape. There are a number of areas where this is possible in the Pilbara, namely around the iron ore deposits in the Weeli Wolli Spring area and similarly in the Robe valley.

mosaic of burnt patches, to a regime of less frequent and often higher intensity fire extending over larger areas and resulting in a coarse-grained mosaic of fire footprints across the landscape. This has developed since the depopulation of Aboriginal people from the Pilbara landscape and the development of pastoralism and other land uses.

The process of rehabilitation has also not been fully explored yet either. Very few, if any mining operations in the Pilbara have completely exhausted their resource base and as a result minimal information exists on the success of mine closures and rehabilitation efforts.

The effects of these frequent late, dry season fires on populations of plants and animals are now seen as having a major impact on biodiversity and sustainable land management. Natural fires in the past would run their natural course. Their spread would have been limited by the mosaic of aboriginal burning patterns.

The establishment of towns and settlements, community infrastructure, agricultural lands and other developments have meant that today’s communities and infrastructure are also at risk from wildfires.

Tourism and recreation Recreational visitation to the region’s rangelands is increasing, in the form of visitors to the region and the recreational activities of Pilbara residents. With this increase come greater impacts such as: • vehicular damage to habitat; • damage to riparian areas; • disturbance of fauna; • waste disposal and pollution; • wildfire ignition; and • weed introduction.

Access along coastal and riparian areas was a significant issue noted during previous consultation, particularly for pastoralists who manage many of the areas with minimal supporting infrastructure.

6.8.2 Biological processes and landscape impacts Fire Fire has been a natural element of the Pilbara landscape for millions of years. Along with other natural disturbances, such as drought, storms and geological changes, it has shaped its native plants and animals and the ecosystems that sustain them. Many species have developed specific mechanisms to survive and tolerate periodic fire and some even thrive on fire for regeneration and other critical life stages.

Aboriginal people have used fire for at least 30 000 years for spiritual reasons, for heating, cooking and for clearing the country to enable easier access for hunting and to stimulate regrowth of native grasses to attract native grazing animals. The frequency of fires used by Aboriginal people to hunt and manage vegetation (‘fire stick farming’) probably changed vegetation types – for instance, open savannah replaced open forest. Fire has also been used by pastoralists – in some cases to encourage the growth of vegetation for grazing purposes.

Fire regimes that are outside the adaptive range of the biota pose a risk to biodiversity values in the region. Much of the Pilbara is currently affected by inappropriate fire regimes. Historical fire regimes have changed from the frequent, low-intensity small area burning applied by Aboriginal people resulting in a fine-grained

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Cost and lack of resources are key constraints to current best practice fire management in these vast and often remote areas.

More research is required to determine the most ecologically appropriate and practical fire regimes. A coordinated approach to fire management throughout the region involving all stakeholders is needed to: • understand fire behaviour and impacts in the region; • reduce the risk of wildfire impacts on biodiversity and infrastructure; and • provide opportunities for Aboriginal people in land management that are culturally sensitive and have broader community outcomes.

Pest animals The deliberate and accidental release of non-native animals into the Pilbara landscape has caused serious degradation of the region’s natural resources. These pest animals: • compete with native animals for food, water and habitat in terrestrial and marine environments (feral herbivores – camels, donkeys, horses, rats, mice, rabbit, exotic shellfish); • prey on native fauna (feral carnivores like foxes, cats and wild dogs – not dingoes); • over-graze native vegetation (camels, donkeys, horses feeding on native species); and • denude and exhaust water bodies (feral herbivores – camels fouling up water bodies, bank erosion.

Management of pest animal species is a collective effort between government departments such as the Department of Agriculture and Food, DEC and landholders.

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Pest plants

6.9 Pilbara living country

Although there have been few quantitative studies of the effects of pest plant species on rangeland biodiversity, they are known to cause damage by:

The Pilbara Living Country program has been established by DEC in collaboration with other state government agencies, resource companies and special interest bodies to set a biodiversity framework for the Pilbara. The Pilbara Living Country Working Group is responsible for advancing the program. Currently the group has representatives from the following organisations:

• out-competing native plants species; • adversely affecting productivity; • affecting water quality; and • compromising the integrity of natural ecosystems.

The Pilbara is fortunate to have large areas of relatively intact, natural vegetation. However, pest plant species have been recorded in many of the landscapes, particularly in riparian and wetland systems. Pest plant species may be significant to the pastoral industry, conservation and/or amenity values.

Sources of pest plants include escaped garden species, species introduced by pastoral practices, by tourists and travellers, and even native species that have increased in abundance. There are currently two species of Weeds of National Significance in the Pilbara: mesquite and parkinsonia. Other significant weeds in the Pilbara are kapok bush, ruby dock and date palms. Native species such as bardie bush and mimosa bush are also problematic to pastoralists, while some species introduced for pastoral purposes, such as buffel grass, pose very high risks to biodiversity. Buffel grass is a serious threat to riparian areas, coastal communities and some islands of high conservation value. Management of pest plants is a collective effort primarily between the Department of Agriculture and Food, DEC and landholders.

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• • • • • • • • •

Department of Environment and Conservation Department of Water Department of Agriculture and Food Department for Planning and Infrastructure BHP Billiton Iron Ore Rio Tinto Iron Ore Fortescue Metals Conservation Council Port Hedland-Roebourne Land Conservation District Committee

Pilbara framework nexus It is envisaged that Pilbara Living Country will provide the biodiversity arm of the Pilbara Framework – assisting in setting the biophysical agenda for the development of the region’s settlements.

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Appendix A: Settlement profiles

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: COSSACK. December 2008 Context Location: Pilbara coastal plain on Butcher Inlet at mouth of Harding River – 1613 km north of Perth, 56 km east of Karratha and 15 km north of Roebourne.

Climate: Semi-arid – coastal Governance: Managed jointly by Shire of Roebourne and the Heritage Council of WA Place in Settlement Hierarchy: Higher order: Wickham, Roebourne Lower order: none Existing role and size Existing function Cossack currently functions as a museum township. Its fine collection of historic stone buildings and attractive coastal aspect make the town an important tourism and recreation asset.

Population size Residents: 4 (caretaker and family) Households: 1 Population and household profile Demographic profile data unavailable due to small enumeration size

Residential stock Zoned land: 8 ha (urban development) Occupied dwellings: 1 Available subdivided land: 22 lots in private ownership Capacity issues Development constraints: Undulating terrain with rock outcrops Area prone to cyclone storm surge and inundation Much of the original subdivision is subject to storm surge inundation Native Title: Ngarluma/Yindjibardi Claim Area - (WAD6017-96/WC99-014) Future role and size Proposed function: There is scope for the establishment of tourist facilities with the potential to become the short stay tourism/R&R centre for the West Pilbara, as well as providing cultural/ecotourism experiences for WA, interstate and international in-transit visitors

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Establishment: Established in 1863 and officially declared in 1872, Cossack originally functioned as a port for pearling activities, the pastoral industry, as well gold prospectors. The original subdivision plan for Cossack was developed in 1866, paying scant regard to terrain and climatic conditions Townsite size: Total area: N/A Urban area: N/A FIFO Hub Airport: (distance: 70 km) Karratha Airport (9 flights/day to Perth: Qantas,VB,SW) Main runway length: 1850 m RPT Pax: 377 640 (2007/08) Economic drivers: Vacationing Pilbara population and in-transit visitors (WA, interstate and international).

Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: none Retail anchor: none Community facilities • museum • gallery and café • Indigenous Arts Centre (Galbraith Store) • backpackers hostel Industrial stock Zoned land: none Available subdivided land: none Public transport: No services to the township Infrastructure Major works are necessary to provide: • potable water supply and reticulation • electricity supply and reticulation • wastewater reticulation and treatment Population projection Residents: <20 (resort manager, family and staff) Overnight Visitors: 300 max

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: DAMPIER. December 2008 Context Location: Coastal plain - Burrup Peninsula 20 km west of Karratha Climate: semi arid – coastal Governance: Shire of Roebourne in transition from company town status (RTIO Pilbara Iron) Place in Settlement Hierarchy: Higher order: Karratha Lower order: none Existing role and size Existing function Mining port town accommodating RTIO workforce at Parker Point and Intercourse Island processing and shipping facilities Population Size Residents: 1371 (2006 Census) Households: 396 (2006 Census) FIFO: 740 Population and household profile Median age: 31 Male/female Ratio: 58:42 Average household Size: 2.9 Family households: 83% Home ownership: 62% Churn factor (different house 5 years ago): 50% Indigenous component: 3% Median weekly household income: $2479 Average cars per household: 2.2 Average household boat ownership: 61% Residential Stock Zoned land: 50 ha Occupied dwellings: 457 (2006 Census) Dwellings: 720 (2008 shire rated properties) Available subdivided land: limited

Establishment: Hamersley Iron in 1963 Normalisation: commenced in 1980s, it followed a protracted path with disagreements over urban asset transfer. Situation currently unresolved Townsite size: Total area: 466 ha Urban area: 268 ha (57%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 5 km) Karratha Airport (9 flights/day to Perth: Q,VB,SW) Main runway length: 1850 m RPT Pax: 377,640 (2007/08) Economic drivers: RTIO processing and shipping facility exporting 104 mtpa iron ore through Port of Dampier - throughput to expand to 140 mtpa. North West Shelf Joint Venture (Woodside); solar salt (Rio Tinto); Burrup Fertilisers Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: 3000m2GFA Retail anchor: IGA Supermarket (closing) Banks: 0 (ATM at supermarket) Community facilities Schools: 1 primary school (154 students) Library: 1 Medical: Dampier Medical Centre (2 GPs) Community centre Security: police station (4 officers) Recreation: 2 ovals, squash and tennis courts basketball courts, bowling club, boat and sailing club= Worship: 1 church (Catholic) Seaman’s mission Industrial stock: Zoned Land: 103 ha Available subdivided land: limited Public transport: Bus: Trans Pilbara West community bus – part week Taxis: 21 licensed taxis (Dampier and Karratha)

Capacity issues Development constraints: Undulating terrain with rock outcrops a major issue Town subject to cyclone activity Native Title: Ngarluma/Yindjibardi Claim Area -(WAD6017-96/ WC99-014) Future role and size Proposed function: Dampier port will continue to function as the prime economic driver (iron ore, hydrocarbons, solar salt) of the Karratha regional hub. Dampier town will continue to rely on Karratha for the majority of its community and commercial facilities and services It is anticipated that the town will increasingly diversify, as a focus for maritime recreation and tourism and as a prime home ownership residential area

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Infrastructure: Water supply: potential issue (desal plant?)

Energy: new RTIO gas-fire power station Utility networks: aging reticulation Wastewater treatment at capacity Population Projections: (PICC based) 2010 2015 Residents: 1400 1500 Households: 480 520 Construction/FIFO: 750 400

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: KARRATHA. December 2008 Context Location: Coastal plain on Nickol Bay 1557 km north of Perth (Port Hedland 240 km) Climate: semi arid – coastal Governance: Shire of Roebourne Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Perth Lower order: Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson, Cossack, Pannawonica and Onslow Existing role and size Existing function: Mining port service town accommodating workforces for mineral, hydrocarbon and service industries in the West Pilbara. Provides commercial, government and community services to West Pilbara – regional hub for state and federal government departments Population size: Residents: 11 725 (2006 Census) Households: 3402 (2006 Census) FIFO: 4000 (2008) Population and household profile: Median age: 30 Male/female ratio: 54:46 Average household size: 2.8 Family households: 78% Home ownership: 33% ‘Churn’ factor (different house 5 years ago): 69% Indigenous component: 7% Median weekly household income: $2,078 Average cars per household: 2.0 Average household boat ownership: 33% Residential stock: Zoned land: 1658 ha Occupied dwellings: 4334 (2006 Census) Dwellings: 6220 (2008 shire rated properties) Dwellings: 4467 (2008 domestic water connections) Available subdivided land (lots): 1320 (Nickol West and Baynton West) Capacity issues Development constraints: Town subject to cyclone storm surge inundation Native Title: Ngarluma/Yindjibardi Claim Area (WAD6017-96/WC99-014) Future role and size Proposed function: Karratha is designated as a regional centre, within a regional hub, comprising the 5 Nickol Bay satellite settlements of: Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham, Point Samson and Cossack. Karratha also provides regional centre facilities and services to Pannawonica, Onslow and Cape Preston

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Establishment: Gazetted in 1968 as a joint State Government-Hamersley Iron project to meet the expanding accommodation needs of the mining industry to supple-ment the urban capacity of Dampier Townsite size: Total area: 11 727 ha Urban area: 2,351 ha (20%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 15 km) Karratha Airport (9 flights/day to Perth: Qantas,VB,SW) Main runway length: 1850 m RPT Pax: 377 640 (2007/08) Economic drivers: Expansion of the West Pilbara’s iron ore (RTIO), hydrocarbon industries (North West Shelf Venture), solar salt (RTIO) and fertilisers (Burrup Fertilisers), located in Dampier-Burrup Peninsula. Karratha’s GRP - $13.2 billion (2005) 95% derived from resource sector Commercial facilities: Retail floorspace: 34,330 m2 GFA Retail anchor: kmart DDS; Banks: 5 Fast food: McDonalds, Chicken Treat, Subway, KFC Community facilities: Primary Schools: 5 (1,838 students) High Schools: 2 (701 students) TAFE/Curtin University campus Health: district Hospital (43 nurses), medical centre library: 1 Entertainment: 1 theatre; 1 cinema (3 theatres) Security: Police station (29 officers), courthouse Recreation: sports complex, 3 ovals, swimming pool (50 m), multi-purpose courts, 1 golf course (18 hole) Worship: 6 churches Industrial stock: Zoned land: 380 ha Available subdivided land (lots): 39 (KIE), 122 (Burrup) Public transport: Bus: Trans Pilbara West Community Bus - part week Taxis: 21 licensed taxis (Dampier and Karratha) Infrastructure: Water supply: potential significant issue (desal plant?)

Energy: new RTIO gas-fired power station and new Horizon mini gas-fired power station Population Projections: (PICC based) 2010 2015 Residents: 12 750 14 000 Households: 4555 5000 Construction/FIFO: 7000 1500

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: MARBLE BAR. December 2008 Context Location: Inland on Coongan River (elevation: 173 AHD) 203 km south of Port Hedland Climate: semi arid - inland Governance: Shire of East Pilbara

Establishment: Graziers and gold prospectors in 1880s Declared town in 1893 Townsite size: Total area: 198 ha Urban area: 52 ha (26%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 190 km) Port Hedland (6 flights/day to Perth: Qantas, SW) Main runway length: 2500 m RPT Annual Pax: 200 060 (2007/08)

Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Port Hedland and Newman Lower order: indigenous settlements Existing role and size Existing function Marble Bar functions primarily as a local service centre for the district - with a particular focus on the indigenous communities Population size Residents: 193 (2006 Census) Households: 49 (2006 Census) FIFO: 20 Population and household profile Median age: 34 Male/female ratio: 56:44 Average household size: 2.6 Family households: 63% Home ownership: 35% ‘Churn’ factor (different house 5 years ago): 49% Indigenous component: 47% Median weekly household income: $1033 Average household car ownership: 1.8 Residential stock Zoned land: 22 ha Occupied dwellings: 102 (2006 Census) Dwellings: 62 (2008 shire rated properties) Dwellings: 94 (2008 domestic water connections) Available subdivided land: 17 vacant lots Capacity issues Development constraints: Undulating terrain with rock outcrops Native Title: Njamal Native Title Area (WAD6028-98/ WC99-008).

Economic drivers: The main source of employment is community and governance (44%).

Construction is also important at 26% with agriculture and fishing employing a further 17%. Mining is relatively insignificant at only 6% Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: 430 m2 GFA Retail anchor: general store Banks: 0 (ATM in general store) Community facilities Primary schools: 1 (53 students) Health: 1 nursing post (1 nurse, visiting GP) Security: 1 police station/courthouse Recreation: oval, swimming pool (25 m), tennis courts Worship: 1 church (Catholic)

Industrial stock Zoned land (industry) 2 ha Available subdivided land: 1 vacant lot (1.6 ha) Public transport: No services provided to the township Infrastructure: Secure water supply (current use: 0.105 GL/annum; available supply: estimated at 0.5 GL/annum) Town has no reticulated wastewater system (individual septics)

Future role and size Proposed function: The future role of Marble Bar is that of a tourist and local service centre, providing services to the indigenous communities in the district as well as the resource industry.

Tourism would be based on the in-transit (‘grey nomads’) and special interest (prospecting/fossicking) visitor markets. Marble Bar will continue to rely on Port Hedland for higher order community and commercial facilities

JULY 2009

Population Projections: (PICC based) 2010 2015 Residents: 200 210 Households: 75 80 Construction/FIFO: 50 50

Update 0

2020 210 80

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GL248-2007-2.

Produced by Infrastructure Planning & Coordination branch, Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

BAR RD

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: NEWMAN. December 2008 Context Location: Inland in upper Fortescue River valley 455 km south of Port Hedland, 367 km from Tom Price.

Climate: semi arid – inland Governance: Shire of East Pilbara in transition from company town status (BHP Billiton Iron Ore) Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Port Hedland Lower order: Marble Bar and Nullagine Existing role and size Existing function Mining town accommodating workforce for the BHPBIO iron ore expansion program in the East Pilbara.

Population size Residents: 4245 (2006 Census) Households: 1216 (2006 Census) FIFO: 3300 (2008) Population and household profile Median age: 31 Male/female Ratio: 54:46 Average household size: 2.8 Family households: 77% Home ownership: 41% Churn factor (same house 5 years ago): 71% Indigenous component: 8% Median weekly household income: $2274 Average cars per household: 1.7 Average household boat ownership: 6% Residential stock Zoned land: 199 ha Occupied dwellings: 1561 (2006 Census) Dwellings: 1568 (2008 shire rated properties) Dwellings: 1614 (2008 domestic water connections) Available subdivided land (lots): 526 Capacity issues Development constraints: Bushfire hazard Native title: Nyiyaparli Area-WAD6280-98/ WC05-006.

Future role and size Proposed function: In addition to its role as the mining ‘hub’ for the East Pilbara, Newman’s future lies in its role as a subregional tourism and service centre. There are opportunities to develop a tourism industry based on its location as a gateway to the Pilbara, the Karijini National Park, the Rudall River National Park and the Canning Stock Route. There are also opportunities to develop the town as a subregional distribution centre, located at a strategic point on the Great Northern Highway, serving the needs of the indigenous settlements in the East Pilbara

JULY 2009

Establishment: Mount Newman Mining Company in 1968 Normalisation commenced in 1982 (BHP and Shire of East Pilbara) Townsite Size: Total Area: 1,606ha Urban Area: 400ha (25%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 11 km) Newman Airport (5 flights/day to Perth: Qantas, VB) Main runway length: 2072 m RPT Pax: 130 000 (2007/08) Economic drivers: BHPBIO’s rapid expansion of the East Pilbara ore bodies for transport to Port Hedland.

Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: 8600 m2 GFA Retail anchor: Woolworths supermarket; banks: 2 fast food: 0 Community facilities Primary schools: 2 (685 students) High schools: 1 (282 students) TAFE: 1 (470 students) Medical: 1 district hospital (14 nurses) Security: police station (19 officers) Recreation: sports complex, 3 ovals, swimming pool (50m), golf course, race course Worship: 5 churches Service Stations: 2 (BP, Caltex) Industrial stock Zoned land: 59 ha (industrial and mixed business) Available subdivided land: 27 ha Public transport: Bus: No town service Taxis: 2 licensed taxis Infrastructure: Water supply: mine de-watering surplus.

Energy: BHPIO supplied – Alinta reticulation Population Projections: (PICC-based) 2010 2015 2020 Residents: 5325 6040 6040 Households: 1900 2155 2155 Construction/FIFO: 940 1530

Update 0

78

Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

DRAFT - Not for Publication

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Produced by Infrastructure Planning & Coordination branch, Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: NULLAGINE. December 2008 Context Location: Inland on the upper reaches of the Nullagine River in the De Grey River basin, 184 km north of Newman and 112 km south of Marble Bar. Climate: semi arid – inland Governance: Shire of East Pilbara Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Newman Lower order: indigenous settlements Existing role and size Existing function: Nullagine currently functions as a local service centre for the district and is dependent on Newman for the majority of its needs. It also serves as a centre for local gold prospectors and fossickers Population size Residents: 156 (2006 Census) Households: 46 (2006 Census) FIFO: 20 Population and household profile Median Age: 34 Male/female Ratio: 62:38 Average household size: 3.4 Family households: 72% Home ownership: 47% ‘Churn’ factor (different house 5 years ago): 34% Indigenous component: 52% Median weekly household income: $833 Average household car ownership: 1.1 Residential stock: Zoned land: 8 ha (‘Nullagine townsite’) Occupied dwellings: 62 (2006 Census) Dwellings: 28 (2008 shire rated properties) Available subdivided land: limited Capacity issues Development constraints: Limited developable land, since the townsite is subject to periodic, serious and extensive flooding Native Title: Njamal Native Title Area (WAD6028-98/ WC99-008) Future role and size Proposed function: Nullagine’s future role is that of a local service centre catering primarily to the needs of the district’s indigenous community. Development is highly constrained by the town’s susceptibility to serious and extensive flooding.

JULY 2009

Establishment: Nullagine was first settled by graziers in the early 1880s and, following the discovery of gold, established as a town in 1888 Townsite size: Total area: 501 ha Urban area: 58 ha (12%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 201 km) Newman Airport (5 flights/day to Perth: Qantas, VB) Main runway length: 2072m RPT Annual Pax: 50,075 Economic drivers: The town is beginning to capitalise on the growing mining investment in the Nullagine-Newman district (reopening of the Conglomerate Hotel with 23 TWA/ visitor units) Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: 460 m2 GFA Retail anchor: Nullagine Roadhouse and General Store.

Banks: 0 (ATM at roadhouse) Community facilities Primary schools: 1 (53 students) Health: Nullagine Health Centre (1 nurse, visiting GP) library/telecentre: 1 Security: police station (3 officers) Recreation: oval, multi-purpose courts, swimming pool (25 m) at primary school.

Industrial stock: Zoned land: 8 ha (‘Nullagine townsite’) Available subdivided land: limited Public transport: No services to the township Infrastructure: • secure water supply (current use: 0.042 GL/annum; available supply: estimated at >0.05 GL/annum) • town has no reticulated wastewater system (individual septics) Population projections: (PICC-based) 2010 Residents: 220 Households: 65 Construction/FIFO: 20

Update 0

2015 230 68 30

2020 230 68

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Date: 12/05/2008

Base information supplied by: Western Australian Land Information Authority.

GL248-2007-2.

Produced by Infrastructure Planning & Coordination branch, Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: ONSLOW. December 2008 Context Location: Sited between Beadon Creek and Beadon Point, Onslow is located 1387 km north of Perth, due south of the Barrow and Montebellos Islands. The town is 320 km southwest of Karratha and 205 km west of Pannawonica Governance: Shire of Ashburton Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Karratha > Perth Lower order: indigenous settlements Existing role and size Existing function: Onslow functions as a service centre, based on ‘export’ industries of solar salt and fisheries. The shire maintains a branch office/council chamber in the town Population size: Residents: 574 (2006 Census) Households: 227 (2006 Census) FIFO: 30 (2008) Population and household profile: Median Age: 37 Male/female Ratio: 55:44 Average household size: 2.3 Family households: 67% Home ownership: 30% ‘Churn’ factor (different house 5 years ago): 52% Indigenous component: 37% Median weekly household income: $961 Average cars per household: 1.4 Average household boat ownership: 15% Residential stock: Zoned land: 60 ha (residential and urban development) Occupied dwellings: 421 (2006 Census) Dwellings: ##### (2008 shire rated properties) Dwellings: 279 (2008 domestic water connections) Available subdivided land: 8 lots Capacity issues Development constraints: Access road subject to flooding during cyclonic storms Town subject to damaging cyclones (Vance 1999) Native Title: Thalanyji Area (WAD6113-98) Future role and size Proposed function: On-shore storage and processing facilities for off-shore hydrocarbons - predominantly FIFO workforce Onslow will continue to depend on Karratha for higher order community and commercial facilities, as well as the airport for air travel out of the region.

JULY 2009

Establishment: Town was established on its current site in 1925, after the original town sited near the mouth of the Ashburton River was abandoned due to cyclone damage. The shire had its main administrative centre in Onslow until its relocation to Tom Price in 1990 Townsite size: Total area: 514 ha Urban area: 375 ha (73%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 315 km) Karratha Airport (9 flights/day to Perth: Qantas,VB,SW) Main runway length: 1850 m RPT Pax: 377,640 (2007/08) Economic drivers: Onslow Salt established in 1997, employs 65 on site.

Beadon Creek provides wharf facilities for the fishing (Ashburton Fisheries) and offshore service industry Commercial facilities: Retail Floorspace: 1140 m2GFA Retail anchor: general store Banks: 0 (ATM at general store) Community facilities: Schools (primary/secondary): 1 (110 students) TAFE campus: 1 Health: district hospital (1 GP and 9 nurses) Library: 1 Shire office and council chamber Security: police station (5 officers), courthouse. recreation: sports complex, oval, swimming pool (25 m), 1 golf course (18 hole), racecourse.

Worship: 1 church (Anglican-Catholic).

Industrial stock Zoned land (Industry): 22 ha town + 88 ha Onslow Salt Zoned land (strategic industry): 490 ha Available zoned land: 490 ha (SI) Public transport: Licensed taxis: 3 Infrastructure: Future water supply a significant issue (desal?)

Energy supply a significant issue.

Population projections: (PICC-based) 2010 Residents: 1350 Households: 585 Construction/FIFO: 2000

Update 0

2015 2500 1085 125

2020 2500 1085

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

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°

Base information supplied by: Western Australian Land Information Authority.

GL248-2007-2.

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: PANNAWONICA. December 2008 Context Location: Sited in the Robe River valley, 1435 km north of Perth and 207 km south-west of Karratha.

Governance: Closed company town - only services provide by others are: education, health and policing. The Shire of Ashburton provides library and limited urban services Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Karratha > Perth Lower order: none

Existing role and size Existing function: Pannawonica is an isolated settlement, based on Robe River’s iron mesa ore mining operations Population size Residents: 685 (2006 Census) Households: 207 (2006 Census) FIFO: 100 (2008) Population and household profile Median age: 32 Male/female ratio: 57:43 Average household size: 2.6 Family households: 73% Home ownership: 0% ‘Churn’ factor (different house 5 years ago): 70% Indigenous component: 3% Median weekly household income: $2,631 Average cars per household: 1.5 Average household boat ownership: 27% Residential stock Zoned land: 69 ha (‘Other Purposes’) Occupied Dwellings: 231 (2006 Census) Available subdivided land: very limited Capacity issues Development constraints: Town subject to cyclone activity and bushfire hazard Native Title: KM group has claim in vicinity Future role and size Proposed function: Pannawonica’s short-medium term role is that of a service centre for development of the Mesa A iron ore deposit. RTIO is set to invest $300M in the town’s infrastructure. At end of mine life there will be two choices: • continuation of Pannawonica as a settlement with a different role (eg. remote university campus, military training base, or prison); or • closure of Pannawonica as a settlement and the reversion of its urban footprint to natural bushland.

JULY 2009

Establishment: Constructed in 1970 by Cliffs Robe River Iron Ore to exploit the mesa-based pisolitic ore at Robe River Townsite size: Total area: 2,759 ha Urban area: 69 ha (3%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 197 km) Karratha Airport (9 flights/day to Perth: Qantas,VB,SW) Main runway length: 1850 m RPT Pax: 377 640 (2007/08) Upgrading of the Pannawonica airstrip will lessen the town’s reliance on Karratha as a FIFO hub Economic drivers: Economy based on Robe River Mesa J iron ore deposit extraction and processing (31 mtpa). Centre of operations are moving to the Mesa A/Warramboo area Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: 950 m2 GFA Retail anchor: X-Press Mart supermarket Banks: 0 (agencies in shops) Community facilities Primary school: 1 (109 students) TAFE campus: 1 (administered from Karratha) Health: Pannawonica Medical Centre (1 GP, 2 nurses) Library: 1 (shire staffed) Entertainment: outdoor cinema, tavern/restaurant Security: police station (2 officers) Recreation: fully lit oval, swimming pool (25 m), golf course (18 hole), Pannawonica Rodeo Worship: 1 church (Catholic) Industrial stock Zoned land: 69 ha (‘Other Purposes’) Available subdivided land: N/A Public transport: No services to the township Infrastructure: Ongoing high cost of maintaining urban infrastructure in a remote area

Population projections: (PICC based) 2010 2015 2020 Residents: 685 450 450 Households: 265 175 175 Construction/FIFO: 3000 1000

Update 0

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

no map

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JULY 2009

Update 0

Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: PARABURDOO. December 2008 Context Location: Sited in the attractive Pilbara ‘high country’, the town is located 1536km north of Perth, 80 km south of Tom Price and 362 km east of Onslow Climate: semi arid Governance: Shire of Ashburton, with RTIO (Hamersley Iron) owning most of the private property Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Tom Price Lower order: indigenous settlements

Existing role and size Existing function: Paraburdoo currently functions as RTIO’s mining sub-’hub’ of the central Pilbara Population size Residents: 1605 (2006 Census) Households: 462 (2006 Census) FIFO: 400 Population and household profile Median age: 30 Male/female Ratio: 56:44 Average household size: 2.9 Family households: 78% Home ownership: 11% ‘Churn’ factor (different house 5 years ago): 76% Indigenous component: 6% Median weekly household income: $2,344 Average household car ownership: 1.6 Average household boat ownership: 10% Residential stock: Zoned land: 134 ha Occupied dwellings: 497 (2006 Census) Dwellings: ##### (2008 Shire rated properties) Available subdivided land: N/A

Establishment: Paraburdoo was established as a company mining town by Hamersley Iron in 1971 to house its mine workers and their families Normalisation: commenced in 1980s.

Townsite Size: Total Area: 1,297ha Urban Area: 265ha (20%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 10km) Paraburdoo Airport (3 return flights/day to Perth) Main runway length: 2132 m RPT annual pax: 54 900 (2007/08) New airport to north of Tom Price (120 km) will replace Paraburdoo airport for RPT operations Economic drivers: Paraburdoo is wholly dependent RTIO’s iron ore extraction and processing at the Paraburdoo mine and Channar mine (opened in early 1990s) Commercial facilities: Retail floorspace: 2,430 m2 GFA Retail anchor: IGA supermarket Banks: 0 (credit union) Community Facilities Primary schools: 1 (267 students) Health: district hospital (7 nurses); Paraburdoo Medical Centre (1.3 GPs) Library: 1 Security: Police Station (2 officers) Recreation: fully lit oval, swimming pool (25 m), golf course (18 hole) Worship: 2 churches (Anglican and Catholic).

Industrial stock: Zoned land (industry): 5ha Zoned land (industry and mixed business): 3 ha Available subdivided land: N/A Public transport: No service to the township

Capacity issues Development constraints: Bushfire hazard Native Title: Innawonga Bunjima Area (WAD6096-98/WC96-61) Future role and size Proposed function: RTIO is committed to the ongoing operation of Paraburdoo as a support centre for existing mining activity at Paraburdoo, Channar and Eastern Ranges. Post mining, the town would be expected to contract significantly to a core activity area. There are limited opportunities for the town to act as an aboriginal service and tourism centre. Significant state involvement would be required to support other means of diversification, if the settlement is to remain viable

JULY 2009

Infrastructure: Aging and deteriorating utility infrastructure is creating a constraint on the town’s development Population projections: (PICC based) 2010 2015 2020 Residents: 1605 1605 1330 Households: 555 555 460 Construction/FIFO: 500 100

Update 0

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Date: 12/05/2008

Base information supplied by: Western Australian Land Information Authority.

GL248-2007-2.

Produced by Infrastructure Planning & Coordination branch, Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

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JULY 2009

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: POINT SAMSON. December 2008 Context Location: Coastal plain near Cape Lambert 57 km east of Karratha Climate: semi-arid coastal Governance: Shire of Roebourne.

Establishment: Developed initially as the port for Roebourne in 1910 and was used for the export of wool and minerals including blue asbestos from Wittenoom Townsite size: Total area: 74 ha Urban area: 34 ha (46%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 72 km) Karratha Airport (9 flights/day to Perth: Qantas,VB,SW) Main runway length: 1850 m RPT Pax: 377 640 (2007/08)

Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Karratha and Wickham Lower order: none Existing role and size Existing function Dormitory for Karratha and holiday centre for in-transit visitors and short stay destination for Pilbara residents.

Johns Creek is an important commercial and recreational boat harbour Population size Residents: 274 (2006 Census) Households: 105 (2006 Census) FIFO: 20 Population and household profile Median Age: 41 Male/Female Ratio: 46:54 Average Household Size: 2.4 Family households: 75% Home ownership: 68% Churn Factor (same house 5 years ago): 42% Indigenous Component: 1% Median weekly household Income: $1,507 Average household car ownership: 1.9 Average household boat ownership: 29% Residential stock Zoned Land: 11 ha Dwellings: 186 (2006 Census) Dwellings: ##### (2008 shire rated properties) Dwellings: 107 (2008 domestic water connections) Available subdivided land: Limited Capacity issues Development constraints: Town subject to cyclone storm surge prone area Native title: Ngarluma/Yindjibardi Native Title Claim Area (WAD6017-96/WC99-014) Future role and size Proposed function: Develop as the coastal tourist centre for the West Pilbara, providing short-medium term stay facilities for families and groups working in the region. It will be important to maintain the fishing-maritime character of the town

JULY 2009

Economic drivers: The development of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minerals and hydrocarbons. In particular, RTIO processing and shipping facility exporting 50 mtpa iron ore through Cape Lambert.

Throughput to expand to 180 mtpa Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: 250 m2GFA Retail anchor: general store Banks: 0 (ATM at general store) Community facilities Community hall Recreation: oval, boat harbour and ramps Point Samson relies on Wickham for the majority of its community facilities and services

Industrial stock Zoned land: 5 ha Available subdivided land: limited Public transport: Bus: Trans Pilbara West Community Bus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; part week Taxis: 21 licensed taxis (Dampier and Karrathal Infrastructure: Water supply: potential issue (desal plant?)

Energy: new RTIO gas-fire power station Networks: aging reticulation Population projections: (PICC based) 2010 2015 2020 Residents: 280 300 300 Households: 115 125 125 Construction/FIFO: 20 20

Update 0

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Produced by Infrastructure Planning & Coordination branch, Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

°

Base information supplied by: Western Australian Land Information Authority.

GL248-2007-2.

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Date: 12/05/2008

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: PORT HEDLAND. December 2008 Context Location: On Pilbara coastal plain between the Yule and De Grey River systems – 1700 km north of Perth, strategically placed on Great Northern Highway between Karratha and Broome. Marble Bar: 203 km; Karratha: 241 km Climate: semi arid – coastal Governance: Town of Port Hedland Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Perth Lower order: Newman, Marble Bar and Nullagine Existing role and size Existing function Mine port town in the process of becoming a regional centre. In addition to its role as a major mineral ore export facility, Port Hedland provides commercial, government and community services to the East Pilbara. It is a regional hub for State and Federal Government Population size Residents: 11 558 (2006 Census) - 12 500 (ToPH) Households: 3012 (2006 Census) FIFO: 2000 (2008) Population and household profile Median age: 31 Male/female ratio: 55:45 Average household size: 2.7 Family households: 77% Home ownership: 39% ‘Churn’ factor (different house 5 years ago): 65% Indigenous component: 18% Median weekly household income: $1,890 Average household car ownership: 1.8 Average household boat ownership: 19% Residential stock Zoned land: 633 ha Occupied dwellings: 4513 (2006 Census) Dwellings: 4638 (2008 town rated properties) Dwellings: 4,047 (2008 domestic water connections) Available subdivided land (lots): 778

Capacity issues Development constraints: Cyclone storm surge inundation, atmospheric pollution Native Title: Kariyarra Area (WAD6169-98/WC99-003) Future role and size Proposed function: Port Hedland’s future as a significant ore exporter and regional service centre would be augmented by its development as the strategic freight hub of the Pilbara, linking port, road and air transport modes. Port Hedland will provide an array of regional commercial, government and community services to the East Pilbara system of settlements

JULY 2009

Establishment: Gazetted in 1896 as port for small mining tenements, pastoral and pearling activities. In 1965, the iron ore industry commenced exporting through the port.

South Hedland was established in 1966 to accommodate urban activity, servicing Port Hedland’s minerals processing and export Townsite size: Total area: 11 230 ha Urban area: 6502 ha (58%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 7 km) Port Hedland Airport (6 flights/day to Perth: Qantas, SW) Main runway length: 2500 m RPT annual pax: 200 060 (2007/08) Economic drivers: Mine port town for BHPBIO, FMG and other resource companies. Current and projected port trade volumes: • 111.8 mtpa port trade (2007) • 318.5 mtpa port trade (2012) • 840.0 mtpa port trade (2025) Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: 34 000m2 GFA Anchor: KMart DDS; banks: 5 Fast food: McDonalds and Chicken Treat Community facilities Primary schools: 5 (1,233 students) High schools: 1 (636 students) TAFE campus: 2 Health: 1 regional hospital (94 nurses) Library: 2 Entertainment: 1 theatre (Matt Dann Cultural Centre) Security: 2 police stations, courthouse Recreation: sports complex, 4 ovals, 2 swimming pools (50 m), 1 golf course (18 hole), racecourse, yacht club.

Worship: 10 churches Industrial stock Zoned land (industry and mixed business: 222 ha Zoned land (strategic industry): 1558 ha Zoned land (airport): 899 ha Available subdivided land: 470 ha Public transport: Bus: Hedland Bus Lines – weekdays and Saturday Taxis: 24 licensed taxis Infrastructure: Parts of ‘Port’ have no waste water reticulation Future water supply uncertainties (desal plant?)

Population projections: (PICC based) 2010 Residents: 13 580 Households: 5030 Construction/FIFO: 2110

Update 0

2015 16 045 5945 4310

2020 16 500 6110

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: ROEBOURNE. December 2008 Context Location: Coastal plain near Cape Lambert 40 km east of Karratha Climate: semi arid â&#x20AC;&#x201C; coastal Governance: Shire of Roebourne

Establishment: Pastoralists, pearlers, gold miners and traders Town gazetted in 1866 Townsite size: Total area: 1392 ha Urban area: 897 ha (64%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 54 km) Karratha Airport (9 flights/day to Perth: Qantas,VB,SW) Main runway length: 1850 m RPT Pax: 377 640 (2007/08)

Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Karratha Lower order: indigenous settlements Existing role and size Existing function: Indigenous urban centre deriving limited benefit from the resource industry expansion on its doorstep Population size Residents: 857 (2006 Census) Households: 196 (2006 Census) FIFO: 50 Population and household profile Median age: 32 Male/female ratio: 51:49 Average household size: 3.5 Family households: 81% Home ownership: 38% Churn factor (different house 5 years ago): 41% Indigenous component: 73% Median weekly household income: $1,005 Average household car ownership: 1.3 Residential stock Zoned land: 46 ha Dwellings: 290 (2006 Census) Dwellings: ##### (2008 Shire rated properties) Dwellings: 264 (2008 domestic water connections) Available subdivided land: Limited Capacity issues Development constraints: Undulating terrain with rock outcrops a major issue Town subject to cyclone activity Native Title: Ngarluma/Yindjibardi Native Title Claim Area (WAD6017-96/WC99-014 Future role and size Proposed function: Roebourne to be the acknowledged indigenous community, business and cultural centre for the Pilbara. This function would be supported by greater diversification, based on greater engagement with the mainstream economy

JULY 2009

Economic drivers: RTIO processing and shipping facility exporting 50 mtpa iron ore through Cape Lambert. Throughput to expand to 180 mtpa Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: 1010 m2GFA Retail anchor: general store Banks: 0 (ATM in general store) Community facilities Schools: 1 general school (269 students) Medical: Roebourne Hospital (15 nurses) Indigenous medical: Mawarnkarra Health Service, community centre Security: Police Station (14 officers) Worship: 1 church (Anglican) Recreation: 2 ovals, covered basketball courts and swimming pool (15 m) Industrial stock Zoned land: 16 ha (mixed business) Available subdivided land: limited Public transport: Bus: Trans Pilbara West Community Bus - part week Taxis: 21 licensed taxis(Dampier & Karratha) Infrastructure: Water supply: potential significant issue (desal plant?)

Energy: new RTIO gas-fired power station at Seven Mile and new Horizon minigas-fired power station Wastewater treatment a potential issue Population projections: (Ngarluma project based) 2010 2015 2020 Residents: 900 1,600 1,600 Households: 255 455 455 Construction/FIFO: 100 50

Update 0

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

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Base information supplied by: Western Australian Land Information Authority.

GL248-2007-2.

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: TOM PRICE. December 2008 Context Location: The town site is sited at an elevation of 747 m AHD, at the base of Mt Nameless (Jarndrunmunhna) in the Hamersley Ranges. It is the highest town in WA. Climate: semi arid – inland Governance: Shire of Ashburton – with RTIO owning the majority of residential property in the town Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Karratha and Port Hedland Lower order: Paraburdoo and indigenous settlements Existing role and size Existing function: Tom Price currently functions as RTIO’s mining ‘hub’ of the central Pilbara. It is also developing a role as the tourist hub for the Pilbara ‘high country’ - particularly Karijini National Park Population size Residents: 2720 (2006 Census) Households: 796 (2006 Census) FIFO: 1000 (RTIO workforce model) Population and household profile: Median age: 29 Male/female ratio: 55:45 Average household size: 2.9 Family households: 79% Home ownership: 16% ‘Churn’ factor (different house 5 years ago): 72% Indigenous component: 7% Median weekly household income: $2,507 Average household car ownership: 1.8 Average household boat ownership: 10% Residential stock: Zoned Land: 120 ha Occupied dwellings: 999 (2006 Census) Occupied dwellings: 1157 (Shire 2008) Dwellings: 1307 (shire rated properties 2008) Pilbara Iron owned dwellings: 986 (75%) Available subdivided land: 11 vacant lots Capacity issues Development constraints: Rugged terrain, areas prone to flash flooding and bushfire hazard Native Title: Tom Price townsite is subject to the Eastern Guruma Native Title Claim WAD 6208/98, which is yet to be determined in the Federal Court.

Future role and size Proposed function: Tom Price will continue to function as RTIO’s mining ‘hub’ for the central Pilbara: supporting both residential and some in-town FIFO accommodation. In parallel with this ongoing role, there are opportunities for the further development of the town as a visitor and service hub for the Karijini National Park

JULY 2009

Establishment: Tom Price was established as a ‘model’ mining town by Hamersley Iron developed in 1966 to house its workers and their families Townsite size: Total area: 6720 ha Urban area: 637 ha (9%) FIFO hub airport (distance: 72 km) Paraburdoo Airport (3 return flights/day to Perth) Main runway length: 2132 m RPT Annual Pax: 96,000 (Qantas: 2007/08) Economic drivers: As the mining ‘hub’ of the Central Pilbara, its primary reason for being is the mining and processing of iron ore, which is exported through the Port of Dampier Commercial facilities: Retail floorspace: 7,800m2 GFA Retail anchor: Coles supermarket; banks: 1 Fast food: 0 Community Facilities: Primary Schools: 2 (567 students) High Schools: 1 (254 students) TAFE campus: 1-2 Health: 1 district hospital (11 nurses) Library: 1 Security: police station (8 officers), courthouse Recreation: recreation complex, 2 ovals, swimming pool (50m), golf course (18 hole), netball, pony club.

Worship: 4 churches Service stations: 1 (Shell) Industrial stock: Zoned land (Industry): 37 ha Zoned land (industry and mixed business): 29 ha Available subdivided land: limited Public transport: Bus: no town service Taxis: 3 licensed taxis Infrastructure: Aging and deteriorating utility infrastructure creating a significant constraint on the town’s development: • water reticulation • wastewater reticulation and treatment • power supply and transmission Population projections: (PICC based) 2010 2015 2020 Residents: 3310 3000 3000 Households: 1140 1035 1035 Construction/FIFO: 1740 1000

Update 0

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Base information supplied by: Western Australian Land Information Authority.

GL248-2007-2.

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Settlement profile: WICKHAM. December 2008 Context Location: Coastal plain near Cape Lambert 49 km east of Karratha, 12 km north of Roebourne.

Climate: semi arid â&#x20AC;&#x201C; coastal Governance: Shire of Roebourne in transition from company town status (RTIO Robe River) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; partially normalised Place in settlement hierarchy: Higher order: Karratha Lower order: Point Samson Existing role and size Existing function Mining port town accommodating RTIO workforce at Cape Lambert processing & shipping facility. Provides community and commercial facilities to Point Samson.

Population size Residents: 1823 (2006 Census) Households: 534 (2006 Census) FIFO: 700 (Cape Lambert) Population and household profile Median age: 28 Male/female ratio: 53:47 Average household size: 3.0 Family households: 80% Home ownership: Churn factor (same house 5 years ago): 40% Indigenous component: 18% Median weekly household Income: $1,975 Average cars per household: 1.9 Average household boat ownership: 29% Residential stock Zoned Land: 58 ha Dwellings: 602 (2006 Census) Dwellings: 870 (2008 Shire total rated properties) Dwellings: 686 (2008 domestic water connections) Available subdivided land: limited to vacant lots Capacity issues Development constraints: Town in cyclone prone area Native Title: Ngarluma / Yindjibardi Native Title Claim Area (WAD6017-96/WC99-014) Future role and size Proposed function: Develop as a mining port town, accommodating an expanded RTIO workforce at Cape Lambert, requiring an additional 500 dwellings in the townsite. There are opportunities for future diversification with budget visitor accommodation, supporting the Point Samson and Cossack tourism nodes. Wickham will continue to provide local community and commercial facilities to Point Samson and will in turn continue to rely on Karratha for higher order facilities and services

JULY 2009

Establishment: Constructed by Cliffs Robe River Iron Ore in 1970 to provide town-based accommodation for the Cape Lambert iron ore processing and shipment facility Normalisation: commenced in 2000 Townsite size: Total area: 466 ha Urban area: 309 ha (56%) FIFO hub airport: (distance: 64 km) Karratha Airport (9 flights/day to Perth: Qantas,VB,SW) Main runway length: 1850 m RPT Pax: 377,640 (2007/08) Economic drivers: RTIO processing and shipping facility exporting 50 mtpa iron ore through Cape Lambert. Throughput anticipated to expand to 180 mtpa Commercial facilities Retail floorspace: 2,750 m2GFA Retail anchor: Woolworths supermarket Banks: 1 (+ ATM in centre) Community facilities Schools: 1 primary school (303 students) Health: Gemini Medical Centre Library: 1 Security: Police Station (3 officers) Worship: 1 church (Catholic) Recreation: 2 fully lit ovals; squash courts; tennis courts; basketball courts; boat ramps; sky diving - Wickham airstrip; Point Walcott Yacht Club Roebourne Regional Prison Industrial stock Zoned land: 13 ha Available subdivided land: limited.

Public transport: Bus: Trans Pilbara West Community Bus - part week Taxis: 21 (Dampier and Karratha) Infrastructure: Water supply: potential issue (desal plant?)

Energy: new RTIO gas-fire power station at 7 Mile Utility networks: aging reticulation Population projections: (RTIO based) 2010 2015 2020 Residents: 2000 3000 3000 Households: 665 1000 1000 Construction/FIFO: 1250 500

Update 0

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CAPE LAMBERT RD

Appendix A: settlement profiles

DR

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Produced by Infrastructure Planning & Coordination branch, Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

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Base information supplied by: Western Australian Land Information Authority.

GL248-2007-2.

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JULY 2009

Update 0

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Map 1: The Pilbara region

JULY 2009

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Pilbrara Framework

Appendix A: settlement profiles

Map 2: Topography

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Map 3: Pilbara bioregions

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Map 4: Vegetation

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Map 5: Coastal environments and hazards

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Map 6: Rivers and drainage catchments

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Map 7: Cultural heritage

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Map 8: Native title

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Map 9: Historical development sequence

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Map 10: Mineral and hydrocarbon resources

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Map 11: Tourism development opportunities

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Map 12: Road system

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Map 13: Ports and harbours

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Map 14: Airports and airstrips

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Map 15: Rail network

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Map 16: Water resources

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Map 17: Infrastructure

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Map 18: Community facilities

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Map 19: Port Hedland development hotspots

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Map 20: South Hedland development hotspots

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Map 21: Karratha development hotspots

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Map 22: Newman development hotspots

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Map 23: Onslow development hotspots

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Map 24: Aboriginal communities

121

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Map 25: Strategic industrial areas

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Map 26: Land tenure

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Map 27: Pilbara pastoral leases

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Appendix A: settlement profiles

Map 28: DEC managed lands and water

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Appendix B: state agreements

Appendix B: State agreements Many of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industries operate under State Agreement Acts, which set out state and company commitments in terms of the industrial operation. The following Acts are current in the Pilbara region: BHP Steel Industry Agreement Act 1952 Dampier Solar Salt Industry Agreement Act 1967 Iron Ore Beneficiation Agreement Act 1996 Iron Ore (Channar Joint Venture) Agreement Act 1987 Iron Ore - Direct Reduced Iron (BHP) Agreement Act 1996 Iron Ore (FMG Chichester Pty Ltd) Agreement Act 2006 Iron Ore (Goldsworthy-Nimingarra) Agreement Act 1972 Iron Ore (Hamersley Range) Agreement Act 1963 Iron Ore (Hamersley Range) Agreement Act 1968 (Paraburdoo) Iron Ore (Hamersley Range) Agreement Act (Amendments) Iron Ore (Hope Downs) Agreement Act 1992 Iron Ore (Marillana Creek) Agreement Act 1991 Iron Ore (McCameys Monster) Authorization Agreement Act 1972 Iron Ore (Mount Bruce) Agreement Act 1972 Iron Ore (Mount Goldsworthy) Agreement Act 1964 Iron Ore (Mount Newman) Agreement Act 1964 Iron Ore Processing (Mineralogy Pty Ltd) Agreement Act 2002 Iron Ore (Rhodes Ridge) Auth. Agreement Act 1972 Iron Ore (Robe River) Agreement Act 1964 Iron Ore (Robe River) Cape Lambert Ore and Service Wharves By-Laws 1995 Iron Ore (Wittenoom) Agreement Act 1972 Iron Ore (Yandicoogina) Agreement Act 1996 Iron Ore Processing (BHP Minerals) Agreement Act 1994 Leslie Solar Salt Industry Agreement Act 1966 North West Gas Development (Woodside) Agreement Act 1979 Onslow Solar Salt Agreement Act 1992 Pilbara Energy Project Agreement Act 1994 Railway and Port (The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd) Agreement Act 2004 Western Mining Corp. Ltd (Throssell Range) Agreement Act 1985

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Pilbrara Framework Appendix C: references

Appendix C: References, acronyms and abbreviations australian Bureau of Statistics (2007) ‘Census of Population and Housing 2006: Basic Community Profile - urban centre and suburbs’. Canberra, ACT. Baum, S (2006) ‘A Typology of Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage in Australia’s Large Non Metropolitan Cities, Towns and Regions’, Australian Geographer, 37(2): 233-258.

Beard JS & Webb MJ (1974) ‘Vegetation Survey of Western Australia: Great Sandy Desert’, University of WA, Perth, WA. Beard JS (1975) ‘Vegetation Survey of Western Australia: Pilbara’, University of WA, Perth, WA. Brown, R (1999) ‘Addressing the Infrastructure Needs of Regional Australia’, submission to House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Regional Services, Canberra, ACT. Chamber of Minerals and Energy (2008) ‘Fly-in, Fly-out in the Western Australian Resources Sector’, CRA International (2007) ‘Western Australian Minerals and Energy Sector Growth Scenarios: Implications for Infrastructure Development’, prepared as input into WA Treasury and Finance State Infrastructure Strategy Scenario Planning Exercise. Kingston, ACT. Dames and Moore (2000) ‘Central Pilbara Infrastructure Planning Study’, prepared for the Department of Resources Development, under the Commonwealth Regional Minerals Program.

Department of Agriculture and Food (2008) Department of Environment (2004) ‘Pilbara Air Quality Study’ Department of Conservation and Land Management (1999) ‘Karijini National Park Management Plan’, Perth, WA. Department of Environment and Conservation (2007) ‘Millstream-Chichester National Park and Mungaroona Range Nature Reserve Draft Management Plan 2007’, Perth, WA. Department of Environment and Conservation (2007) ‘Management Plan for the Montebello/Barrow Islands Marine Conservation Reserves: 2007-2017’. Management Plan No.55, Fremantle, WA. Department of Environment and Conservation (2008) ‘Pilbara Living Country’.

Department of Fisheries (2007) ‘State of the Fisheries Report: 2006/07’, Perth, WA.

Pilbara Land Use Strategy’. Perth, WA. Department for Planning and Infrastructure (2006) ‘Western Australian State Transport Infrastructure Plan 2007/08 to 2026/27’, Perth, WA. Department of Sport and Recreation (2007) ‘DecisionMaking Guide: Sport and Recreation Facilities’, Perth, WA. Department of Water (2008) ‘Pilbara Water Plan’. Perth, WA. Doxiadis, CA (1968) ‘Ekistics: An Introduction to the Science of Human Settlements’, Hutchison of London, London UK. Economics Consulting Services (2008) ‘Prospective Demand for Water for the West Pilbara’, prepared for Department of Water, Perth, WA. Environmental Protection Authority (2002) ‘Environmental Protection and Ecological Sustainability of the Rangelands in Western Australia’. Position Statement No.5, Perth, WA. Environmental Protection Authority (2007) ‘State of the Environment Report: Western Australia 2007’, Perth, WA. Environmental Protection Authority (2008) ‘Guidance for the Assessment of Environmental Factors: Environmental Offsets Biodiversity’ Position Statement No. 19, Perth, WA. Environmental Protection Authority (2007) ‘EPA Bulletin 1251 - Mesa A/Warramboo Iron Ore Project’. Perth, WA. FMG (2008) ‘FMG Pilbara Iron Ore and Infrastructure Project: 2007 Annual Environmental Report’. Perth, WA. Geografia (2008) ‘Hedland Social and Economic Diagnostic: Discussion Paper’, report prepared for Fortescue Metals Group, Perth, WA. Geografia (2008) ‘Karratha Vision 2020’, report prepared for Shire of Roebourne, Perth, WA. Government of Western Australia (2007) ‘State Water Plan 2007’, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Perth, WA. Hamersley Iron (1991) ‘Hamersley Iron - Twenty Five Years’, Perth, WA. Holmes, J (1997) ‘Diversity and Change in Australia’s Rangeland Regions: Translating Resource Values into Regional Benefits’, The Rangelands Journal, 19(1): 3-25.

Kadar Pearson & Partners (2007) ‘Pilbara Regional Tourism Plan’. Broome, WA. LandCorp (2008)

Department of Health (2007) ‘Health Impacts of Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies for Western Australia’, Government of Western Australia, Perth

Landis, P (1934) ‘The Life Cycle of the Iron Mining Town’, in Social Forces, Vol 13, No.2, pp 245-256, December 1934, University of North Carolina Press, Greensboro, NC, USA.

Department of Housing and Works (2007) ‘Cossack Draft Master Plan’. Perth, WA.

Main Roads WA (2007) ‘Roads 2025 Regional Road Development Strategy - Pilbara’. Perth WA.

Department for Planning and Infrastructure (2002) ‘Draft

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Main Roads WA (2008) ‘Regional Road Network Plan:

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Pilbara Region - The Next Ten Years 2009/10-2018/19’. Port Hedland, WA.

Pilbara Region: Summary Report, Surface Water Hydrology Report’, Series No 32, Water and Rivers Commission.

Maru, Y, Chewings, V, Jones, M and Breen (2006) ‘Mapping Socio-Regions in Outback Australia’, DKCRA Research Report 20, Desert Knowledge CRA, Alice Springs.

Shaw, M (2006) ‘Moving Mountains: The Evolution of Port Hedland Harbour’, Hesperian Press, Perth, WA.

McIlwraith, J (1997) ‘Mesa Harvest - Robe River’s First 25 Years’. Robe River Iron Associates, Wickham, WA.

Sinclair Knight Merz (2007), ‘Port Hedland Port Authority: Utah Point Berth Project Public Environmental Review’.

Meyrick & Associates (2008) ‘Pilbara Freight Study’, report prepared for the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Wollongong, NSW.

Stanton-Hicks, E (2002) ‘Sustainability and Iron Ore in the Pilbara: A Regional Perspective, Sustainability Case Study’, prepared for Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Perth, WA.

Morgan, G (2001) ‘Landscape Health in Australia: a rapid assessment of the relative condition of Australia’s bioregions and subregions’. Environment Australia and National Land and Water Resources Audit.

Tille, P. (2006) ‘Soil Landscapes of Western Australia’s Rangelands and Arid Interior’, Department of Agriculture and Food: Resource Management Technical Report No. 313.

Perth, WA.

Ngarda Ngarli Yarndu Foundation (2005) ‘Pilbara Cattle Cooperative Business Plan 2005-2010’. South Hedland, WA.

Town of Port Hedland (2007) ‘Strategic Plan 2007-2012’, January, Port Hedland, WA.

Newman, P, Armstrong, R, McGrath, N (2005) ‘Pilbara Regional Sustainability Strategy’. Institute for Sustainability & Technology Policy, Murdoch University, Perth, WA.

Town of Port Hedland (2007) ‘Land Use Master Plan’. Port Hedland, WA.

Newman, P & Kenworthy, T (1999) ‘Sustainability and Cities’, Island Press, Washington DC, USA. OECD (2002) ‘Impact of Transport Infrastructure Investment on Regional Development’, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris, France.

Paterson, Al (2006) ‘Towards a historical archaeology of Western Australia’s Northwest’, Australasian Historical Archaeology, 24, 2006, pages 99-111.

PICC, 2008, ‘Planning for Resources Growth in the Pilbara: Employment & Population Projections to 2020’, Report to Pilbara Industry’s Community Council.

Pilbara Development Commission (1997) ‘Pilbara Land Use Strategy’. Port Hedland, WA.

URS (2007) ‘Dampier Boat Harbour Site Identification and Assessment’, report prepared for DPI, Perth, WA. URS (2008) ‘Baseline Community Assessment of Dampier, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo, Roebourne, Tom Price and Wickham’. Reports prepared for Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Perth, WA. Western Australian Planning Commission (1998), ‘Karratha Area Development Strategy’, Perth WA’.

Western Australian Planning Commission (2003), ‘Port Hedland Area Planning Study’, Perth WA. Western Australian Planning Commission (2005) ‘Western Australia Tomorrow: Population Projections for Planning Regions 2004 to 2031 and Local Government Areas 2004 to 2021’. Population Report No. 6. November 2005. Perth, WA.

Pilbara Development Commission (2005) ‘Pilbara Regional Priority Plan’, compiled for Cabinet Standing Committee on Regional Policy, Port Hedland, WA.

Western Australian Planning Commission (2007) ‘Liveable Neighbourhoods’, Perth, WA.

Pilbara Development Commission (2008) ‘Draft Pilbara Plan’, Port Hedland, WA.

Worley Parsons (2005) ‘Onslow Strategic Industrial Area: Expansion Study’, prepared for the Department of Industry and Resources, Perth,WA.

Pilbara Iron Ore Environmental Committee (PIEC) (1999) ‘Mining Below the Water Table in the Pilbara’, Department of Resources Development.

Pilbara Living Country Working Group (2008) ‘Pilbara Living Country: Managing Biodiversity Together - The Way Forward’. Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, WA.

Woodside Petroleum (2004) ‘50 Years of Woodside Energy’.

Worley Parsons (2007) ‘Port Planning Study and Ultimate Development Plan; Update 2007’. Perth, WA.

Pilbara Regional Council (2004) ‘Pilbara Regional Infrastructure Audit: Supplementary Report’, Karratha, WA. Rio Tinto (2008) ‘ Public Environmental Review: Marandoo Mine Phase 2’, Perth, WA. Ruprecht, J and Ivanescu, S (2000) ‘Surface Hydrology of the

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Pilbrara Framework Background

Acronyms & Abbreviations

Abbreviations

AADT ABS ADSL ANCA ARIA BHP BoM CALM CAR CME DEC DoH DoW DPI DTF EMU EPA ESRM ETS FIFO FMG GNH G8

Annual Average Daily Traffic Australian Bureau of Statistics Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line Australian Nature Conservation Agency Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia Broken Hill Proprietary Bureau of Meteorology Department of Conservation and Land Management Comprehensive and Adequate Representative system Chamber of Minerals and Energy Department of Environment and Conservation Department of Health Department of Water Department for Planning and Infrastructure Department of Treasury and Finance Ecosystem Management Unit Environmental Protection Authority Ecologically Sustainable Rangeland Management Emissions Trading Scheme Fly-in fly-out Fortescue Metals Group Great Northern Highway Group of Eight - international forum for eight industrialised countries.

IBRA Interim Bio-geographical Regionalisation of Australia LNG Liquefied Natural Gas NEPM National Environmental Protection (ambient air quality) Measure NRM Natural Resource Management NWCH North West Coastal Highway NWIS North West Interconnected System PDC Pilbara Development Commission PICC Pilbara Industries Community Council RAMSAR International convention on wetland conservation (after Ramsar in Iran) RGP Rapid Growth Project RPT Regular Passenger Transport SEIFA Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas TAFE Technical and Further Education WA Western Australia WAPC West Australian Planning Commission WARMS Western Australia Rangelands Monitoring System UCL Unallocated Crown Land US United States YMCA Young Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christian Association

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C CO2 Ha GL GL/yr km/hr kV mt mtpa MW o

Acronyms

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Degree Celsius Carbon Dioxide Hectare Giga litre (1,000,000,000 litres) Giga litres per year Kilometres per hour Kilovolt Million tonnes Million tonnes per annum Mega Watt

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