Pilbara Development Commission

The state government has given New Energy Corporation environmental approval for a $184 million waste-to-energy plant proposed for Port Hedland, but the company, and other proponents of similar plants, are yet to overcome significant funding, waste supply, and energy off-take hurdles.

Karratha is undergoing a transition as more families move to town, attracted by the improved infrastructure and new housing developments.

SPECIAL REPORT: The $10.6 billion Royalties for Region scheme has come under attack from the ERA, but Paul Rosair says the program is worth more than its cost and expenditure.

Former Department of Agriculture and Food executive director Terry Hill has been appointed acting chief executive of the Pilbara Development Commission, following the resignation of Ken King after two years in the role.

The transition of the Karratha economy away from its reliance on big construction jobs for resources projects has resulted in thousands of job losses.

Two Karratha businesswomen believe cheaper commercial rents are vital to ensuring the sustainable growth of small businesses as part of a plan to diversify the Pilbara’s economy.

A report by the auditor general has found the state government’s Pilbara Underground Power Project will cost nearly double the original estimate and be completed six years behind schedule because of poor planning and management.

Port Hedland investors and developers are proving to be resilient and opportunistic, but it remains to be seen how the Pilbara town will successfully diversify from its resources-reliant economy.

Chris Cottier has been appointed deputy chair of the Pilbara Development Commission board for a term expiring April 2017.Mr Cottier is BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s corporate affairs manager, Pilbara and was raised in Port Hedland.

Chris Le Serve has been appointed as director economic development, land and infrastructure at the Pilbara Development Commission.

The state government has provided $16 million to ScreenWest to boost film productions in Western Australia.

Building contractors Aurora Project Group and TR Homes have won a combined $12.6 million worth of work in rural Western Australia for the state government.

The state government has announced new directors for the Gascoyne, Peel and Pilbara development commissions.

An ambitious multi-billion dollar project to export solar power from the Pilbara into Indonesia would be technically viable, according to a pre-feasibility study released by the Pilbara Development Commission today.

Former Horizon Power chair Brendan Hammond and MercyCare director Rebecca Tomkinson have been appointed to chair the Pilbara and Wheatbelt development commissions, respectively.

Our weekly appointments wrap includes Simon Taylor, Terry Hill, Deena Shiff, David Flanagan, Patrick Walsh, Margaret (Margie) Tannock, John Mullen, Tim Marney, Steve Martin and Steve Thomas.