Town of Port Hedland - Information

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 41, Port Hedland WA 6721
Phone: (08) 9158 9300
Fax: (08) 9158 9399
Email: council@porthedland.wa.gov.au
Website: www.porthedland.wa.gov.au

Accounts Payable

Creditors: 9158 9300

Working for the Community

Council actively works to develop, support and improve services, facilities and amenities for the Port Hedland community, economy and environment.

The Town of Port Hedland aims to transform our regional town into Pilbara's Port City – a vibrant and attractive City which provides families with all the benefits of city-living yet still enjoy the friendly and relaxed outdoor lifestyle the Pilbara has to offer.

For the 2011/12 Financial Year, Council will be investing $81.4 million dollars in capital works including over $10 million towards the completion of projects such as the Multi-Purpose Recreation Centre and Marquee Park, $6.5 million for the South Hedland Aquatic Centre upgrade and redevelopment and over $3 million for the redevelopment of car parks at the Port Hedland International Airport.

All these projects would not be possible without the continuous support of State Government agencies such as Pilbara Cities, LandCorp and Pilbara Development Commission, key stakeholders, industry and the community.

Elected by the Community

Mayor and Councillors are elected by the community and have a statutory role in communicating information between electors and the Council.

As Council is the level of government that is closest to the community, it is able to take account of, and respond to, local views and ideas.

First ever Mayoral elections took place in 2009 and will continue to occur every four years. The Town of Port Hedland Mayor is elected by the community though a preferential voting system.

Council Elections

Council elections are held every two years with half the Council up for election each time. Residents who are on the electoral roll and who live in the Port Hedland district are automatically entitled to vote in Council elections.

Responsible to the Community

Members are required to represent Council and advise electors of Council Policy. The basis upon which policy is formed and the reason for the subsequent decisions is available to the community.

The role of a councillor is specified in the Local Government Act 1995 as follows:

• to represent the interests of electors, ratepayers and resident of the district;
• to provide leadership and guidance to the community;
• to facilitate communication between the community and the council;
• to participate in the decision-making processes at Council; and
• to perform functions given to a councillor by the Act or other laws.

Council members are the decision makers responsible for:

• the development of Council Policy;
• the direction and control of the affairs of the Town of Port Hedland local government;
• making decisions on project priorities and the plans to achieve them; and
• the periodical review of Council's programs and performance.
• Council actively strives to represent the community interest and regularly seeks feedback from residents.

If you have any suggestion on improving our Town please feel free to contact a councillor.

Council Meetings

Ordinary Council Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month, at the Civic Centre, commencing at 5.30pm, and the public is welcome to attend, however, members of the public could be asked to leave if Councillors are dealing with confidential matters, which are defined in the Local Government Act as:

• staff matters
• personal hardship
• or legal matters

All Council Meetings include a public question time. Copies of the Agenda, and subsequent Minutes are available on Council's Web Page at www.porthedland.wa.gov.au.