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Port Hedland has begun its transition in to a regional city with construction starting on the first major community projects, worth $56 million. Port Hedland mayor, Kelly Howlett, said the three new projects, including a recreation centre, a "Kings Park of the North" and a youth centre, were more than just one-off projects. Port and South Hedland's combined population of 19,500 is expected to jump almost 50% and hit 40,000 by 2025. The projects, a culmination of six years work by the council, are part of the State Government's Pilbara revitalisation plan, and draw heavily on Royalties for Regions and the mining industry for funding.

Construction has started on a $32.7 million multi-purpose recreation centre in South Hedland. The state-of-the-art indoor sport and recreation facilities will include function rooms, a fitness centre, three squash courts, an outdoor playground and childcare facilities. Work on the 4395sqm site, by Doric Construction, is due to be finished by March 2012. Marquee Park, a $13.2 million 28,000sqm family fun park with water-play features, shaded barbecue areas, a kiosk and gardens, is expected to attract visitors from across the Pilbara. In the year to June 30, the value of building approvals issued by council was $241 million, compared with $10 million for 2004-05. The third project, a $9.5 million redevelopment of the town's existing 3000sqm recreational centre, is designed to create a youth services hub. It will involve upgrading the existing building and adding 1200sqm of offices, meeting rooms and a youth lounge. The council's capital expenditure budget for this financial year is about $104 million.

Excerpt from: The West Australian (www.thewest.com.au), 25 August 2010