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Pathways to Here

Newman Futures was launched in 2019 to build a diverse and sustainable 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.

By 2019, a new wave of economic change was underway, as local industries began adopting data intelligence and technology. While these changes created opportunities, barriers to economic participation remained.

Nyiyaparli Traditional Owners and Martu, along with BHP, the Shire of East Pilbara, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, Newman Women’s Shelter, Martumili, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, Newman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WA Police and other stakeholders came together to jointly plan to deliver better outcomes for Newman. In 2019, the Newman Futures project was launched to build a diverse and sustainable economy that is inclusive to all.

2019 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.
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
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Explore the Newman Futures Journey

Download Journey Map

2025 Co-Creation Approach

The 2025–2027 Roadmap was developed by Newman Futures through extensive co-creation with stakeholders, informed by research, local data, relevant reports, and best-practice community development approaches.

Engagement overview:

35
Organisations

Participated in the Co-creation approach to develop the 2025 – 2027 Roadmap

5
Indigenous Organisations

Participated in the Co-creation approach to develop the Three-Year Roadmap

34
Stakeholders

Representing 26 Organisations, participated in 1:1 engagements to inform the priorities presented at the co-creation workshop

6
Focus Areas
Were identified and informed the Newman Futures Co-creation Workshop. Groups built action plans to address the identified opportunities and challenges.
188
Community Members

Participated in a survey on priorities

44
Stakeholders

Representing 24 Organisations Participated in the Co-creation Workshop

Newman Futures
2025 – 2027 Roadmap

We invite you to explore the 2025 – 2027 Roadmap and join us in walking forward together.
Explore the Roadmap

Get involved

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

Get Involved

Cultural Warning

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that the following web page includes images and voices of a deceased person.