Welcome to this special Business News supplement focused on the north-west, and more particularly on the Pilbara.
It’s appropriate that a publication such as this should highlight the opportunities and challenges faced by businesses and residents in this remote part of the country, given its role as the nation’s engine room.
The fortunes of all of them are intrinsically linked to the activities of global companies such as BHP, Rio Tinto and Woodside Energy, so it’s equally appropriate that we should highlight the pipeline of projects on the way from the majors that will bring more people and more investment to the region.
But we also thought it important to look at other big businesses with plans for the Pilbara, including mining services companies Metso, Civmec, Weir Minerals and Camco.
Such investment will bring with it some obvious problems in the housing sector, which are also a focus of this publication.
Other issues covered include the efforts of the Pilbara’s ports to expand and diversify, the desire of inland towns to become more than just mining hubs, and the seismic changes in Hedland that will give rise to South Hedland becoming the true heart of the historic town.
We haven’t forgotten the smaller businesses, either, with articles looking at some Karratha manufacturing businesses and a north-west hub for innovators.
The supplement has only been possible with the support of the Pilbara’s peak bodies for business, and we thank for them for their assistance as we look for more opportunities to publish content focused on regional Western Australia. We would particularly like to thank the chambers of commerce and industry from Karratha & Districts, Newman, Port Hedland, Onslow, Pilbara Inland and Exmouth and also the Port Hedland Industries Council and the CORE Innovation Hub at Newman.
Sean Cowan
Managing Editor |