Karratha city of the north Plan - Shire of Roebourne

PreMier’s foreWord
The release of this much anticipated plan
can undoubtedly be described as nothing
short of a watershed moment in the
history of Karratha.
As a central component of the Government’s
‘Pilbara Cities’ initiative to invest in our
regional towns, this plan will radically
transform Karratha from a mining town with
an estimated population of 18,000 into a
regional city of 50,000 people.
The Pilbara is pivotal to the economy of our State and the nation
and we have committed $300million through Royalties for Regions
to upgrade amenities and infrastructure in towns such as Karratha.
Our ambitious plan to revitalise the town and establish Karratha
as a future dynamic and diverse city to live - a place with services
and amenities which will attract and retain a broad range of people
wanting to settle permanently in the region.
This document is the culmination of much planning and input
from the community, local businesses, industry and Government.
Making this vision a reality requires continued planning, investment
and co-ordination of many individuals and organisations.
Together we can transform Karratha into a city with a diverse and
resilient population and economy, with high amenity and a unique
Pilbara style.
Hon, Colin Barnett, MLA
Premier of Western Australia;
Minister for State Development
Minister’s foreWord
With this bold new plan, the landscape of
Karratha is set to evolve into a diverse and
well-appointed place to live and work.
Through Royalties for Regions we have
committed to re-invest funds to thoroughly
revitalise the town and establish a
future city - not with superficial facelifts,
but through the creation of liveable
communities serviced by everything
modern Australia expects.
I firmly believe this project will unlock Karratha’s full potential and
will become a benchmark for other regional areas.
Underpinning the plan is the essential need to address a coordinated
approach to the delivery of infrastructure and community
services and facilities, housing affordability and diversity, and
other issues which until now have constrained development and
deterred people from settling in Karratha.
The community has shown great interest in the plans for Karratha’s
future and taken ownership of the project to actively drive change.
The Government, the Shire of Roebourne, business and industry
all have a vested interest in a successful outcome and are fully
committed to working with the community to make the plan a reality.
We have set the bar high and we are well placed to realise our vision.
Hon, Brendon Grylls, MLA
Minister for Lands
President’s foreWord
With the release of the Pilbara Cities
of the North initiative by the State
Government, the future of Karratha
is going to be radically different from
its past. The Shire of Roebourne
wholeheartedly supports this initiative,
and is determined to play its part in its
successful achievement.
The K2020 Vision and Community Plan,
endorsed by the Shire last year, set
Karratha on a journey designed to transform it from a mining town
and service centre to a regional city. But that is only a start, as it
will take more than the next 10 years for the new City of Karratha
to develop and position itself as one of the most vibrant and
exciting regional cities in the nation.
Developing a city from scratch is a complex process, involving
many individuals, organisations and different layers of Government.
However, the most important part is to get the planning right,
in much the same way as buildings must have the correct
foundations if they are to survive and thrive.
Of course, Karratha is not starting from scratch but the Karratha of
today is a far cry from what Karratha needs to be if it is to grasp the
opportunities now presented to it. It needs a radical transformation.
The City Growth Plan is one of three documents that provides the
necessary foundation for Karratha to achieve the goal of becoming
a City of the North, and will sit alongside the Implementation Plan
and City Centre Master Plan.
It provides a sustainable growth plan to guide Karratha on its
journey from a town with a permanent population of some 18,000
through to a city in excess of 50,000. The City Growth Plan,
which covers the entire Karratha town site, provides the necessary
information and direction to allow the Shire of Roebourne to
prepare a new local planning strategy and planning scheme,
both of which will be necessary to provide the right administrative
instruments to accommodate Karratha’s new direction.
When developing a city the location of growth, the facilities and
services the new population needs, and when it is all going to
happen have to be programmed. The City Growth Plan includes
a phasing plan showing what will be delivered, where and in what
sequence. While it is not possible to put precise dates on the
delivery of every element as there are so many variables at work,
the City Growth Plan provides the big picture and tells the story of
how Karratha will be transformed.
We look forward to the general community, the public and private
sectors, and the Federal and State Governments joining us on this
exciting journey.
Nicole Lockwood
President, Shire of Roebourne