West Pilbara Communities For Children

Our site has been allocated $2.8 million from 2009 to 2012. It encompasses the two discrete shires of Roebourne and Ashburton, which collectively make up the West Pilbara region.

The West Pilbara is characterised by a small, diverse and transient population of around 39,710 people (ABS 2006) spread across a vast area of 120,800 square kilometres. The region includes a number of Indigenous communities located remotely from the key regional centres.

The Pilbara has an overall Indigenous population of 13.5%, compared to an average of 3% for the whole of WA (DCD 2006). Remoteness and isolation are issues, with the largest regional centre in the West Pilbara being Karratha, some 1,600 kilometres north of Perth.

The West Pilbara Communities For Children is funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs under the Family Support Program.

Role of the Consortium

A consortium made up of Shires of Ashburton and Roebourne, Pilbara Regional Domestic Violence Council and the Regional Development Australia Pilbara (RDA Pilbara) applied to the Australian Government to facilitate the Communities for Children Initiative within the West Pilbara. This consortium is referred to as the ‘Facilitating Partner’. Regional Development Australia Pilbara is the lead agency for the consortium authorised, to act on behalf of the members of the Consortium.

The Consortium members meet bi-monthly to:-

• Oversee the West Pilbara Project and be responsible for providing guidance on strategic direction;
• Policy and resourcing decisions essential to the delivery of project outputs; and
• Ensuring the appropriate management of the project components as outlined in the Community Strategic Plan and annual Service Delivery Plans.

Regional Development Australia Pilbara as the lead agency, manages and administers the day to day running of the project , which includes the identification and contracting of agencies (called ‘Community Partners’) to deliver the programs. The role of Regional Development Australia Pilbara also includes supporting the Community Partners to achieve their aims, reviewing their outcomes and facilitate collaboration and long term sustainability.

Role of the Committee

The Communities for Children (CCC) is a voluntary group of key stakeholders who work in collaboration with the Facilitating Partner to develop, guide and support implementation of the Initiative and achievement of Communities for Children outcomes.

The Committee has broad representation from community members who have an interest in and commitment to the principles of the initiative and to achieving positive outcomes for children, families and communities.

Community representatives include parents, community members, community leaders, business, and non-government service providers. State and local governments are involved in the Committee in an advisory capacity and to promote cross government links.

The Committee members meet bi-monthly to report and gather feedback.
Click here to see our model .

Our Site

Our site covers the Shire of Roebourne and the Shire of Ashburton.

The Shire of Roebourne includes the towns of Karratha, Dampier, Wickham, Roebourne and Point Samson. Indigenous communities within the Shire are Cheeditha, Mingullatharndo, Chiratta and Ngurawaana.

The Shire of Ashburton includes the towns of Onslow, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo and Tom Price. Indigenous communities within the Shire are Wakathuni, Bellary, Youngaleena (near Tom Price), Bindi Bindi, Peedumulla and Thalanyji (near Onslow).

If you would like to read more about our towns’ history, please click here .