Dust report wins industry approval

The Port Hedland Industries Council is encouraging residents to support the findings and recommendations of the Port Hedland Dust Management Taskforce Report.

Released last month, the report is the culmination of more than seven years of dust monitoring and follows a Health Department assessment last year which found dust levels in Port Hedland could have negative health effects.

The report outlines seven areas of recommendations in interim guidelines — air quality monitoring, industry regulation, noise, land-use planning, local government, community, and governance.

PHIC spokeswoman Kirsty Danby said the report took a balanced approach to addressing competing priorities and laid the “essential foundation” to allow the port and the town to continue to grow.

“Industry acknowledges community concerns and is committed to working with the Government and the community to ensure the long-term prosperity of Port Hedland,” she said.

“There is no disputing the value of industry to the local community, the State and the nation. The resources industry in the Pilbara is the powerhouse of economic growth for Western Australia and the Port Hedland Port is central to that.”

Ms Danby said the PHIC would continue to work with the Government to ensure all stakeholders trusted the air quality monitoring network’ data.

This Friday, starting at 11am, there will be a community open day at the Town of Port Hedland Civic Centre to provide community members and business owners with more information and an opportunity to ask questions on the report.