From the RDA Pilbara Chair - April 2026

The past six weeks have brought global and local challenges, and it’s been extremely pleasing to see Pilbara communities working together to support those in need.

This includes the Cyclone Narelle, which caused significant damage in late March and disrupted essential services in some towns. Notably, Onslow was left without water, while Exmouth residents have experienced prolonged power outages and had interruptions to water supply.

Cyclones are an unfortunate reality of life for the Pilbara. But they also bring out the best in our communities. Seeing people selflessly step up to help their neighbours post-Narelle is another demonstration of how special our region is.

There are a range of State and Federal Government support services available to those impacted by Cyclone Narelle. Please visit the Recovery WA website for more details.

From an RDA Pilbara standpoint, one of the biggest items on our agenda is the August Census. You’ll be hearing quite a bit about this from us over the next few months!

We are working with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and our four local governments to encourage eligible Pilbara residents to participate and fill the Census out correctly. Anybody who spends 6 months + 1 day in the Pilbara each year is entitled to mark this as their “usual place of residence.”

Because many people don’t currently do this, the Pilbara’s true population isn’t reflected in Census data. This negatively impacts funding for services and infrastructure, along with the tailoring of services to meet Pilbara demographics.

More information about the 2026 Census is available on the ABS website.

Events-wise RDA Pilbara is looking forward to participating in the Regions Rising Summit in Perth on May 6. Regions Rising has emerged as key forum for bringing together diverse stakeholders from across the country to drill down into the key issues affecting regional communities.

The Pilbara is expected to be well-represented at next month’s event, with RDA Pilbara CEO Daiva Gillam speaking on a panel.

Daiva will also be speaking at the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Coffee and Catch-up on April 29.

It’s a great opportunity to hear more about RDA Pilbara and what we do, as well as the advocacy priorities we have identified for our region. RSVPs are available via the PHCCI website.

Finally, it’s been great to see so many Pilbara people, businesses and initiatives up in lights recently with recognition at major awards.

This includes the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA’s Women In Resources Awards, where Tania Stevens from Eastern Guruma was named as the Outstanding Woman In Resources.  A proud Guruma and Yindjibarndi woman, Tania founded founded her wholly Indigenous and female-owned civil and mining company in 2004.

Rod Ballinger from BHP (Champion of Women In Resources) and Isabella Carter from Rio Tinto (Outstanding Young Woman In Resources) were other Pilbara finalists.

The Rio Tinto Supplier Recognition Awards brought wins for the Pilbara through KBSS (Supplier of the Year), North West Alliance (Local Engagement), TIAD Enteprises (Health & Safety) and Woollahra (Environmental Sustainability). These awards are wonderful recognition from one of the Pilbara’s major users of local businesses.

Meanwhile, the WA Rural Health Excellence Awards had three Pilbara finalists - Amy Pederson from Pilbara Kimberley University Centres (Nurse or Midwife of the Year), Emma Calusinski from Pilbara Therapy Services (Young Health Professional of the Year) and Samantha Barba from Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance - PAHA (Clinical Leader of the Year).

The Pilbara’s run of awards looks set to continue at the WA Regional Business Excellence Awards on April 18, where no fewer than 14 Pilbara enterprises have been selected as finalists across a wide array of categories. Good luck to all!

Whether we are talking about community spirit or business success, the past month has proven again that the Pilbara punches well above its weight.