Signage strategy agreement

The Pilbara’s four councils have all agreed on a consistent signage strategy for the region, after the adoption by all of the Pilbara Regional Council’s new signage strategy.

As part of the move, the Town of Port Hedland, Shire of East Pilbara, City of Karratha and Shire of Ashburton will now work on a “bigger brand” concept, according to PRC chief executive Tony Friday, who said it would centre around Pilbara-specific signage.

Mr Friday said the original intent of the strategy was to come together and catalogue who had what signs in the region, and then to form some guidance for future signage.

He said things had progressed since then, adding the council was waiting to hear on some grant outcomes to introduce Pilbara entry statements to the region.

“That’s something that’s not really there in any strong presence at the moment,” he said.

“If you look to the South West, you see a really high level of consistency in signage.

“You’ve got different sub brands, but there’s a very strong South West brand.”

As part of the signage strategy, Mr Friday said there were also plans to update existing Warlu Way signage.

“Our view of the Warlu Way is it’s a sensational concept. It just requires a bit of support for its execution and implementation,” he said.

“Soon, we hope to be able to provide additional information for tourists and locals.”

Grant applications to revisit the existing Warlu Way signage will be submitted and Mr Friday said, if approved, the PRC would work closely with Main Roads to put some contact bars underneath the signs.

“(The Warlu Way signage) was funded long ago as part of a drive trail that referenced the indigenous heritage in the region,” he said.

“We know from talking with our tourists and tourism surveys that most of the tourists entering the Pilbara want to have some form of indigenous experience while in the region.

“Many of those same tourists on exiting the region say they didn’t get that.”

Mr Friday has been campaigning since 2014 to have the signs — which are said to follow the path of a dreamtime sea serpent which travelled through the Pilbara and Kimberley — updated.

He said the changes listed in the strategy were about making sure “our tourism message” is connected.