Pilbara region

Population: 39,311 ABS
Main employment sources: Mining & Resources
Main towns: Port Hedland and Newman
Located: Port Hedland 1639 km North of Perth or 17.5 hours drive

*Overview
Home to the economic centres of Karratha and Port Hedland, Pilbara is considered the "engine room of the nation". Here, gas, oil and salt are produced and iron ore and base metals are mined.

Situated in the north west of WA, the Pilbara is a mineral-rich region of spectacular scenery thought to be around 2.8 billion years old.

As well as its immense reserves of natural resources, the region is also blessed with stunning natural beauty boasting striking landscapes and a rich and diverse cultural heritage.

The Pilbara covers a total area of 507,896 square kilometres extending from the Indian Ocean to the Northern Territory border (including offshore islands). The region comprises four local government authorities - the shires of Ashburton, East Pilbara, Roebourne and the town of Port Hedland.

Although more than 39,000 people live in the Pilbara, enjoying the relaxed community lifestyle, the population decreased by 2.7 per cent between the 2001 and 2006 census.

The region has three distinct geographical formations - a vast coastal plain, inland ranges and an arid desert region extending into Australia's dry centre.

The Pilbara is a semi-arid region characterised by high temperatures, low and variable rainfall and high evaporation. Temperature ranges are generally greater in inland districts away from the moderating effects of onshore winds common to the coastal districts.

Employment and Housing
With an international airport and only two hours from Bali, Port Hedland may seem like an ideal place to get a job in the mining industry...if you are able to find somewhere to live.

Executive officer with the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce Kim Bailey explained: "There are no rentals available and rents are extremely high." she said.

"Every hotel is booked out and since FMG (Fortescue Metal Group) bought the caravan park, tourists have to go straight through town because there's no-where for them to stay".

Kim moved with her family to the Pilbara three years ago when her husband got a job driving fuel to the mines. She lives in South Hedland, 16km from Port Hedland.

"Rent there is cheaper than Port Hedland because it is not on the coast," she said.

"For a three-bedroom house we pay $900 per week for a house worth $530,000."

Despite combined earnings of $200,000, Kim says that she and her husband will probably leave the Pilbara in the next few years because of the lack of infrastructure.

"There is only one school between the towns and teachers don't stay long. The boom happened quicker than anyone expected and the town wasn't ready."

Kim finds shopping a frustrating experience: "With hourly wages in the area between $25 and $50 per hour, no one wants to work for award wages, so places close if no-one turns up for work. It's not unusual to be in a supermarket line six deep!"

Read more about the Fortescue Metal Group's (FMG) solution to housing in Port Hedland:

*Things to do and see
The Pilbara is one of the world's oldest geological areas with some of its largest deposits of iron ore and natural gas.

The Karijini National Park is best known for its spectacular gorges, mountain ranges and water courses.

Hikers can explore the gorges at Hancock, Kalamina, Joffre, Dales, Weano, Red and Hamersley.

Millstream Chichester National Park is a tropical oasis in the heart of the Pilbara.

Newman is a picturesque inland tow,n adjacent to the world's largest open-cut iron ore mine. Tours are available.

*Information provided by:

www.backpackingaround.com/aus/perth-wa
www.gowestnow.com/?page=regions
www.pdc.wa.gov.au