Shire of Roebourne Local Planning Strategy

Shire of Roebourne Local Planning StrategyTechnical Report A1: Economic Development StrategyFigure 2: Roebourne Shire Employment 2006, 2011 and 2012Roebourne Shire Employment 2006, 2011, 20126000500040002006201120123000200010000Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) modelling and .id consultantsIt shows a very substantial increase in construction-related employment over the period 2006 to 2011,increasing by almost 2,700 over the period, while employment in the mining sector rose substantially, butby 2,470 workers. It is also worth noting the relatively large increases in proportionate terms ofadministrative categories and of professional, scientific and technical services.The nature of economic activity in the Shire of Roebourne is different to many mining communities: it hasfew iron ore mines and none within commuting distance of the main settlement areas. In addition toconstruction, economic activities driving employment around the main settlement areas are regionalservices and administration, LNG production, port and port-related transport operations and salt mining.While major centres in the Shire are not close to operational mines – some FIFO workers may useKarratha, Roebourne and other settlements as a FIFO / DIDO residential base to work elsewhere in thePilbara. This may partly be the result of the indigenous employment program of Fortescue and Rio.There is some evidence of this – the 2006 census shows in the two big employment sectors of miningand manufacturing, employment self-containment of 85% and 81% respectively, with almost 500 workersin those two industries and almost 1,200 overall with their main residence in the Shire but their place ofemployment elsewhere. These will have the reverse effect on demand for community facilities to theincoming FIFO workers.However information provided by Rio shows that the numbers of workers using Karratha as a residentialbase is far eclipsed by other locations: amongst regional WA, Rio FIFO workers are far more likely tohave Busselton, Geraldton and Broome as a home base than Karratha. This is an area of opportunityfor the Shire.13