Make region more liveable, Government told
Pilbara residents and businesses had their say on the State's regional blueprint strategy last week at forums held across the region.
From Perth to Karratha, Tom Price, Newman and Hedland representatives of the Pilbara Development Commission - the organisation which put together the Pilbara Regional Investment Blueprint - toured to provide insights into the economic strategies for helping develop the region.
The State Government has invested $362 million over four years for development commissions across WA to develop blueprints and implement economy changing projects.
This year's State Budget includes $13 million in 2015-16 towards the scheme.
PDC acting chief executive Terry Hill has been out on the road and said the forums had been well attended.
"It's been fantastic the commitment of people to come along with open views on the blueprint and how to improve," he said.
Mr Hill said ultimately the blueprint needed to have community buy-in.
"We talked about two areas, what's missing in the blueprint, or what needs more emphasis," he said.
"There's been a strong view that the people like the vision that's in the document."
One of the strong messages coming out of the forums has been a public desire to keep a strong focus on liveable communities in the region.
Mr Hill said people wanted the commission to take a strong view on what helps the region as a whole, such as the impact Karijini could have as a tourist destination for a number of towns in the Pilbara.
More feedback suggested the blueprint needed to focus on job creation as the Pilbara moved into a different economic cycle.
Mr Hill said stakeholders were enthusiastic about how the blueprint could be implemented.
He believes this would be achieved through collaboration and partnerships between local government, the mining industry and other organisations as has been done with the Pilbara Cities initiative.
