PILBARA

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INTERVIEWS | Port Hedland Mayor Kelly Howlett
AUGUST 2014 | Resource Global Network
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for non-resource workers to stay in Port
in 2012 we did not expect the response
a vibrant, attractive and sustainable regional
a great number of facilities in place and
Hedland.
from the visitors and for cruise ship visits
city of 50,000, where people want to live and
there’s continuing interest from developers,
to become a regular occurrence during
are proud to call home.
investors and government to keep building
One of the main initiatives is managed by the
summer.
Port Hedland into a regional city.
Department of Housing and is a key service-
This means a range of things, including
worker accommodation project that has
The town has embraced this tourism industry
diversifying the economy so we’re not reliant
If we, as the Town of Port Hedland, can keep
seen 125 existing houses become available
and has made us think about how we can
on the port and resources; introducing
supporting all the initiatives and projects
at a subsidised rate, and 293 new houses
use this to learn and add to the tourism
additional education and training
already in place, we can achieve our vision.
being built on the Osprey Village Estate and
experience for others. It has also sparked
opportunities such as research institutes on
available at lower rental prices than the
a new sense of community pride and spirit
mining and anthropology; developing our
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market rate.
with community members coming together
tourism so people choose to come here as a
www.kellyhowlett.com.au
to welcome tourists and provide unique
destination and not just a tourist stop; and
JL: You mentioned earlier that tourism is
experiences.
even building on our grassroots community
growing in Port Hedland. Has this had much
initiatives, so that they can continue to
of an influence on the town?
JL: What are your aspirations for Port
contribute towards achieving a sense of
Hedland’s future?
community pride and spirit.
KH: The growth of cruise ship tourism has
been fantastic – when the first ship arrived
KH: Our vision is to transform our town into
We’re already half way there – we have