The Newman community has come together with industry to launch a landmark strategy to prepare for the changing future of work.
The Newman Futures strategy focuses on building a diverse and sustainable local economy equipped to promote innovation and harness emerging technologies. The strategy was developed through a co-design process with the Newman community involving over 300 face to face meetings.
On Friday, November 22 the strategy was launched. Nyiyarparli and Martu traditional owners and custodians were instrumental in the development of the plan. In his foreword to the strategy, Bradley Hall, Chairman of Karlka Nyiyaparli Corporation welcomed everyone to Nyiyaparli Country and said “we will do this thing together”.
Melvin Farmer, Chair of Western Desert Lands Corporation said “We will use this strategy to make strong partnerships with the Newman community and the opportunities that Newman provides”.
Guests from all sectors of the community were briefed on the project and got an outline of how it aims to build a diverse and sustainable local economy that is inclusive to all, as the nature of work – locally and globally — undergoes a major transformation. Supported by BHP and the Shire of East Pilbara, the Newman Futures strategy was co-designed with members of the community over an eight month process.
BHP General Manager Newman Operations Marie Bourgoin said: “Technology is playing a big part in how we live and work, and we want to make sure we bring the community along this exciting journey with us to shape Newman’s economic and social future together”.
Shire of East Pilbara president Lynne Craigie said Newman Futures was all about securing the long-term outlook for the community.
“As a Shire, we believe Newman is ideally placed to become a true central service hub for the East Pilbara and mining equipment technology and services,” she said.
“Newman Futures aims to address the barriers to achieving our town’s potential – be it a lack of suitable housing, inadequate health services, gaps in our cultural understanding or failures to give our future workers the skills they need to engage fully in the workforce.”
Click here to download the Newman Futures Strategy.
