Pathways to Here

Newman Futures was launched in 2019 to build a diverse economy that is inclusive to all.

For more than 60,000 years there has been a sustainable economy in the Pilbara. Rich connections between culture, language and country shaped how food, shelter, exchange and transmission of heritage took place. To this day the Nyiyaparli and Martu people retain these deep relationships.

In the late 1800s a non-aboriginal economy emerged with the introduction of cattle and sheep production along with the discovery of gold in Marble Bar. The discovery of rich iron ore deposits in the 1960s led to the Mount Newman Mining Company founding Newman in 1966.

This marked the start of the resource boom in Western Australia and led to Newman becoming the service hub for surrounding regional and remote communities. Fast forward to 2019 and a new wave of economic change has been foreshadowed.

In Newman this change is already being rolled out across industries as they integrate data intelligence and technology to transform their businesses.

Limits to Growth

The changing economy will create new demand for highly skilled workforces and a plethora of new enterprise opportunities but some barriers to economic participation need to be addressed.

These social and economic trends underline the areas that require focus:

Provision of good housing and some services is not meeting demand in Newman or remote communities
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders are the fastest growing demographic, and the broader population is becoming increasingly diverse
Education achievement is stagnating, attendance is lower than State averages and fewer young people are transitioning to higher education

Income in Newman is higher than State averages but income disparities are increasing
While Newman is growing, its population is transient and fluctuates with the rise and fall of industry
The mining sector continues to dominate the economy and BHP has a significant footprint
The cost of living is high and there are difficulties in attracting skilled workforces.

Initial Engagement Overview

Meetings, workshops or briefings facilitated

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Face-to-face interactions with stakeholders and local leaders

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Hits on the Newman Futures website

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Successful Newman Futures Conversation Lunches hosted with local and regional leaders

Across Newman, people and organisations who have a key role in local business and enterprise have spent the last year coming together to collectively discuss the changing economy and barriers to inclusive growth.

Together these stakeholders – Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, Martumili, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, Newman Chamber of Commerce, the Shire of East Pilbara, local schools, community groups, government service agencies, other not for profits and local businesses have co-designed solutions for the future.

The process included briefings, meetings and workshops with:

Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, Martumili and Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service
East Pilbara Interagency Forum
East Pilbara Youth Engagement Partnership
BHP Stakeholder Engagement Group
Early Years Network
Newman Reference Group
Youth engagement at the Newman Youth Centre

Pathways to Here

Newman Futures was launched in 2019 to build a diverse economy that is inclusive to all.

For more than 60,000 years there has been a sustainable economy in the Pilbara. Rich connections between culture, language and country shaped how food, shelter, exchange and transmission of heritage took place. To this day the Nyiyaparli and Martu people retain these deep relationships.

In Newman this change is already being rolled out across industries as they integrate data intelligence and technology to transform their businesses.

Limits to Growth

Initial Engagement Overview

Across Newman, people and organisations who have a key role in local business and enterprise have spent the last year coming together to collectively discuss the changing economy and barriers to inclusive growth.

Get involved

There are a number of ways you can get involved with the project, we’d love to hear from you.

Sustainable, Positive impact. Together.

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Pathways

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