Major renewables news for the Pilbara, business networking and a fresh look at Karratha

Each week, RDA Pilbara compiles a weekly wrap of news that's important to industries and communities in the region and also the highlights of our activities on the ground.

Read on for what's been happening from July 14 to July 21.

Significant new venture for the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation

Some very exciting news during the week from the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, with the announcement of a partnership with renewable energy developer ACEN to create one of the nation’s largest renewables projects in the Pilbara.

The initial stage of the project alone would feature more than $1 billion of infrastructure, generating 750 megawatts of solar, wind, and battery storage in the first few years.

The Yindjibarndi people would get an equity stake and approval rights for site selection, with the project set to focus on the Millstream area.

It’s extremely positive to see a local Aboriginal group taking an active role in such a significant project and very possibly something we’ll see more of in the future.

Read more on the ABC: https://ab.co/3DlgFHq

NYFL Tutt Bryant hosts Business After Hours Speaking of joint ventures with a strong Aboriginal focus, RDA Pilbara CEO Tony Simpson was among a strong turnout of local business people and stakeholders who attended a Business After Hours hosted by NYFL Tutt Bryant.

There was some very encouraging networking taking place and the assembled crowd was keen to learn more about the ongoing partnership between Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited (NYFL) and Tutt Bryant.

Many thanks to Karratha Districts Chamber of Commerce and Industry for organising the event.

Salt by the beach

Tony was also present in Onslow earlier in the week as K+S Australia provided more details on its planned Ashburton Salt project hosted by the Onslow Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The project released its Environmental Review Document for stakeholder and public review in mid-June and it was good to hear more from Managing Director Gerrit Goedecke.

If the project receives approval it could provide for as many as 350 full-time jobs initially and then 150 roles in the longer-term, with a lifecycle of up to 70 years.

An economic take on the Pilbara (and other regions) The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA this week released its Regional Pulse publication for July, with some interesting data for the Pilbara.

This included:

▪ Pilbara businesses being the most optimistic in the State about both the short-term and long-term outlooks.

▪ Pilbara businesses being the most likely from any region to be investing in training to upskill existing workers.

Access the full report: https://bit.ly/3NZxblf

Another record-breaking year to Pilbara Ports

Congratulations to Pilbara Port Authority on its ports breaking their annual throughput record for a fourth year in a row.

It really is a milestone to be celebrated and yet another indication of the importance the Pilbara has for not only Australia's economy but many other countries around the world.

Pilbara tourism in the spotlight We’re quite used to featuring local news in this column but every now and again something outside the region captures our attention – in this case an article from the Mid West Times.

Journalist Fraser Williams flew from Geraldton to Karratha as a guest of Nexus Airlines and thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Pilbara, taking in everything from ancient cultural heritage, to stunning beaches and, yes, even a famous steak sandwich!

We're looking forward to entertaining plenty more tourists with the new Nexus flights along the Geraldton-Karratha-Port Hedland-Broome route.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3DjgkVG

In the local press A lot of fun to read earlier in the week about the much-loved footy action as part of the Martu Youth Festival, organised by Ngurra Kujungka.

A move from the red dirt to the green grass of AFL fields for some participants may not be out of the question, given there were scouts in the crowd from West Coast and Swan Districts.

Read more: https://ab.co/44tFJb7

Away from the sporting arena, it was excellent to read in the Pilbara News about Emer O’Brien (Karratha) and Erin Hayes (Port Hedland) and their efforts representing the Pilbara in the WA Youth Parliament.

Fantastic to see youth having a forum for its voice and perhaps only the start of political aspirations for these young women from our region.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3KuRWVh

Home Run getting towards the home stretch It feels a bit weird to be saying that the finish line is in sight when someone still has 1800km to run. But that’s exactly how Guy Schweitzer is describing things.

We’ve been tracking Guy’s incredible running journey since May, when he left Spoilbank Marina in Port Hedland – where his company MGI Civil had been doing work – and headed for Brisbane via the red dirt of the outback.

It’s been an eye-opening trek for Guy and anyone who has been following him on Facebook, and the good news is that late this week he passed the 3000km mark, meaning he’s well over 60 per cent of the way to his destination.

In fact, just the other day he chalked up his longest single-day effort to date of 76.5km and it won’t be long until he’s looking at bitumen all the way to Brissie!

You can follow guy at Home Run: https://bit.ly/3OYzzLo