East Newman Precinct Structure Plan

Community-driven change

BHP and the Shire of East Pilbara have recognised the need for a holistic strategy for East Newman to improve liveability and ensure culturally appropriate delivery of the public realm, future and current housing potential, and a future town centre.

Rather than being solely a planning exercise, the scope proposed an integrated cultural, social, environmental and spatial strategy for the development of East Newman, delivered through close engagement with local stakeholders – in particular Nyiyaparli and Martu elders, younger members of each community and the organisations representing each community group, to define a vision and set of principles that will guide future development well beyond the length of the project.

Co-designed by Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation, Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service, Creating Communities and Hames Sharley, the ENPSP offers an inclusive and culturally sensitive plan to address acute social disadvantages faced by East Newman residents, including housing, wellbeing, and accessibility.

• Opportunities for increased social housing that is culturally sensitive and increased home ownership support will reduce homelessness and overcrowding.
• A neighbourhood centre will provide space for necessary services like a convenience store, laundry, ablution facilities, a community services triage centre and spaces for other enterprise.
• Redeveloping streets to provide increased connection creates an opportunity for passive surveillance, reducing anti-social behaviour.
• Community facilities will create spaces to educate young people about culture and language.
• Upgrades to community spaces like parks and streetscapes to connect the community.
• PAMS short stay accommodation will allow people to stay on Country and near family when receiving medical treatment.

Strong culture, strong families

The East Newman area is the traditional lands of the Nyiyaparli peoples. Many years ago, Nyiyaparli asked Martu to look after Jigalong when they travelled their desert lands, and now the Nyiyaparli and Martu peoples live in Newman together.

In 2020 Nyiyaparli and Martu came together to sign the ‘This is Our Dream’ Cultural Compact, inviting individuals and organisations to listen to their story and acknowledge their aspirations to keep their culture, language and families strong in the Newman region.

As signatories of the Cultural Compact, the members of the design team committed to work alongside Nyiyaparli and Martu to collectively shape a shared future of mutual respect, inclusive decision-making, and opportunity for all.

Video supplied by Creating Communities