Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Recently, I addressed the Karratha business community at a breakfast hosted by the new City of Karratha. These Pilbara folks certainly understand the need for a long-term view in their planning. They are visionary. The Shire of Roebourne has experience strong growth and exceeded the minimum population of 20,000 to transition to city status. Now it seeks to raise its profile and attract more private investment, leading to jobs and diverse opportunities for its residents. Congratulations to the mayor of the new city of Karratha, Councillor Peter Long, and Chief Executive Officer Chris Adams.

Half-an-hour's drive north, and I was in the town of Roebourne to meet with the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi FoundationCEO, Evan Maloney. The NYFL trust, as it is called, was established in 2000 and is developing business activities that provide revenue streams over and above the initial funding from the north-west shelf partners. This Indigenous foundation has more than 2,000 members engaged in training, apprenticeships, employment and managerial roles. Primarily, NYFL commercialised enterprises include the general store, tyre store, housing and construction, nursery and a cafe. NYFL has recently opened stage 1 of its new development, which is the amphitheatre which will provide for commercial uses such as conferences and events. It has been a challenge for the people of Roebourne to access economic opportunities and build skills. However, NYFL has guided a partnership approach with companies such as ESS, Bright and NRW. It is a success story in the Pilbara.

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