STRATEGIC PLAN

2010-2015
CHAIRPERSON’S INTRODUCTION

The Pilbara covers an area of 507, 896 square kilometres which equates to 20% of Western Australia’s land
area. It is an area that is rich in its stunning beauty, abundant resources and opportunities.

The Pilbara is also Australia’s most important economic zone as reflected by Dampier and Port Hedland
being the highest export tonnage ports in Australia.

The Pilbara is on the cusp of further expansion, with huge growth and investment by the private sector, in
particular in oil and gas.

The 2010 – 2015 Strategic Plan focuses on four important matters that will ensure that the Pilbara will be
able to meet the challenges and maximise the opportunities in the coming years:
• Ensuring that there is a joined-up approach to economic development and service delivery from all
levels of government and that this is integrated with long term private sector investment strategies
• Enabling a multiplier effect on the investment and economic activity in the Pilbara, for example
leveraging the $300m Royalties for Regions Pilbara Revitalisation Plan for its long term benefits
• Attracting and retaining a workforce and their families by making the Pilbara a vibrant and attractive
place to live, work and relax.
• Ensuring that everyone who lives, visits and invests in the Pilbara enjoys its prosperity and benefits

The Strategic Plan sets a new direction for the Pilbara Development Commission. With a focus on
coordination, excellence and integrity it aims to make Australia’s most important economic zone a
remarkable place to live, work, visit and invest.

Tim Shanahan
Chairperson
 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S INTRODUCTION

Growth and prosperity bring many challenges including the ability to create attractive, sustainable
communities with robust infrastructure and quality housing, health, education, training and community
services. These are all essential in preparing, attracting and retaining the workforce necessary to maximise
the long term growth potential, productivity and profitability of the Pilbara.

Growth and prosperity also provide the opportunity to plan and develop strategies for sustainable and vibrant
regional cities that are in keeping with the environmental and the cultural diversity of the community.

Under the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan, the Pilbara Development Commission will play a greater role in
advocating for the region and influencing government policy, in particular funding opportunities and structural
and regulatory change necessary for the anticipated growth and long term sustainable development in the
region.

Stephen Webster
Chief Executive Officer
ORGANISATION

The Pilbara Development Commission is one of nine Regional Development Commissions established under
the State Government’s Regional Development Commissions Act (1993) (the Act). It is a Statutory Authority
managed by a Board whose composition, which is determined under the Act comprises three local
government representatives, three community representatives, three Ministerial appointments and the Chief
Executive Officer by virtue of the office.

The Commission and its Board are responsible to the Minister

for Regional Development. The Commission receives an
annual appropriation from the State Government to carry out
approved activities

VISION

The Pilbara is the place to live, work, visit and invest

MISSION

Shaping the future of the Pilbara such that

• The Pilbara is promoted as Australia’s economic powerhouse
• It is a vibrant and sustainable place to live, work, visit and invest
• Investment is leveraged many times over
• There is a harmonised view to achieving the vision for the Pilbara
• We can attract and retain people in the Pilbara
• There is prosperity and benefit for everyone

VALUES

The Pilbara Development Commission (PDC) strives for

excellence in delivering services to the Pilbara.
• We work professionally and with integrity
• We are passionate and committed about our
work and region
• We value and include everyone across our region
• We plan for the future with vision and innovation
STATUTORY PURPOSE, OBJECTIVES & FUNCTIONS

The statutory objectives of the Pilbara Development Commission are set out in Section 23 of the Regional
Development Commissions Act 1993, specifically to:
• Maximise job creation and improve career opportunities in the region;
• Develop and broaden the economic base of the region;
• Identify infrastructure services to promote economic and social development within the region;
• Provide information and advice to promote business development with the region;
• Seek to ensure the general standard of and access to government services in the region are
comparable to those in metropolitan areas;
• Generally take steps to encourage, promote, facilitate and monitor the economic development of the
region.

The purposes of these statutory objectives are to:

• Promote the region
• Facilitate co-ordination between relevant
statutory bodies and State Government
agencies
• Co-operate with representatives of industry
and commerce, employer and employee
organisations, education and training
institutions and other sections of the
community within the region
• Identify the opportunities for investment in the
region and encourage that investment
• Identify the infrastructure needs of the region,
and encourage the provision of that
infrastructure in the region
• Co-operate with Departments of the State and
Commonwealth and local governments, in
order to promote equitable delivery of services
within the region
GOALS & OBJECTIVES

GOAL 1 PILBARA REGIONAL PLAN GOAL 2 SUSTAINABLE AND VIBRANT

The Pilbara Development Commission will work
with relevant stakeholders to lead and promote a
strategic view for the future of the Pilbara as a
remarkable place to live, work, visit and invest.
Strategic objectives to support this Goal are:
• Facilitate the development of the Pilbara
Regional Plan that provides high level
strategies and a whole of region approach
for the future of the Pilbara
• Align Pilbara projects to the Pilbara
Regional Plan
• Promote a harmonised view to achieving
the vision for the Pilbara
PILBARA CITIES
The Pilbara Development Commission will work
with relevant stakeholders to support the
development of vibrant and sustainable regional
cities that can support and deliver a skilled
workforce, while offering a high standard of living
to local communities:
• Facilitate the attraction and retention of
families in the Pilbara
• Identify gaps and coordinate infrastructure
needs for the future development of the
Pilbara

GOAL 3 LEVERAGING PILBARA INVESTMENT

The Pilbara Development Commission will work

with relevant stakeholders to successfully
leverage investments in the Pilbara
• Work with others to coordinate
Government funds to leverage further
investment in the Pilbara
• Work with WA Government agencies to
identify opportunities for investment in the
Pilbara and to promote and encourage
that investment

Karijini Visitors Centre

GOAL 4 STRATEGIC COORDINATION AND
CHANGE
The Pilbara Development Commission will work
with relevant stakeholders to facilitate strategic
coordination and change across agencies for the
long term sustainable development of the Pilbara
• Work with agencies to ensure that
government services are planned and
delivered to meet the current and future
needs of the Pilbara
• Develop long term strategies for structural
and regulatory change to support the
future social and economic development
of the Pilbara
• Advocate for the strategic issues
associated with the further development
of the Pilbara
GOAL 5 PDC EXCELLENCE AND INTEGRITY
The Pilbara Development Commission will work
with relevant stakeholders to ensure PDC
excellence and integrity
• Finalise the development and
implementation of the governance,
accountability and risk management
framework
• Implement best practice management
• Develop and implement strategies for the
ongoing effectiveness and stability of the
PDC
• Enhance stakeholder communication and
involvement
GOAL 6 KNOWLEDGE PILBARA
The Pilbara Development Commission will work
with relevant stakeholders to be a primary source
of knowledge and expertise on Pilbara issues:
• Provide valuable information and advice
to promote and assist the economic and
social development of the Pilbara
• Further develop and maintain information
services on the Pilbara