News

Important Notice: Early Closure – Monday, 8 December 2025 Please be advised that our Shire Offices, Library, Youth Centre, Newman Visitor Centre, Waste Facility, and Newman *Recreation Centre will be closing early at 12:00 PM on Monday, 8 December 2025. Closure Time: From 12:00 PM Date: Monday, 8 December 2025 Note: The Newman Aquatic Centre will remain open. Newman Recreation Centre *24 hour access available to approved members.

Please see a list of opening hours and operating hours during the 2025 Christmas and New Year period at the Shire of East Pilbara.

The Shire of East Pilbara is urging residents to stay prepared this cyclone season, with the updated Australian Warning System now in place for all natural disaster alerts across Western Australia.

The Martumili Christmas Sale has had one of its strongest opening weekends on record, with locals and visitors turning out in large numbers for Friday night’s launch event in Newman. Across opening weekend, 171 paintings were purchased from 78 Martu artists, generating $65,352 in artist income. A further $5,528 in product sales was recorded, reflecting strong demand for locally produced gifts and artwork in the lead-up to Christmas.

The Shire of East Pilbara’s Youth & Community Garden at the Newman Youth Centre has officially sprung to life, and the team is now looking for more volunteers to help it grow. Since the garden’s launch in October, young people and community members have been busy building garden beds, planting seedlings and bringing the space to life. The first regular volunteer has now come on board, and the Shire is inviting more locals to join the growing crew. Shire President Cr Anthony Middleton said the garden was quickly becoming a positive, hands-on space for young people and the wider community.

Newman Waste Management Facility – Temporary Weighbridge Closure Please be advised that the Newman Waste Management Facility weighbridge will be closed tomorrow morning (20/11/2025) for scheduled calibration.

The Shire of East Pilbara is teaming up with Sport4All, a national initiative led by Paralympian and Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott AO, to make local sport and recreation more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.

The Nullagine community turned out in full force yesterday to celebrate the official opening of the new Nullagine Aquatic Centre, marking a major milestone for the town. People of all ages drifted in throughout the afternoon, turning the opening into a proper Nullagine get-together. The BBQ stayed busy, the inflatables were packed, and Ngaarda Media set the mood with tunes and a live broadcast for those listening in from neighbouring communities.

A packed house at the Newman Hotel celebrated the outstanding achievements of local volunteers, athletes, coaches and community groups at this year’s Stars of the East Pilbara – Community and Sports Awards. Guests were treated to lively music from Poppy’s Music, an inspiring keynote from Paralympian Brant Garvey, and the quick wit of MC Christina Morrissy, who kept everyone smiling from start to finish.

If you live, visit, work or own a business in the Shire of East Pilbara and you're aged 14+ years, you are invited to complete a scorecard response by 5 December 2025.

Keep an eye out for some fresh white lines popping up around town this week!

Please be advised that Cootenbrand Creek Beach, Cape Keraudren will be closed to all vehicles from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026 to protect nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings. This seasonal closure is essential to provide a safe, undisturbed environment for these threatened marine creatures during their nesting and hatching period. We appreciate your support in protecting our precious coastal wildlife. Let’s work together to give turtles the safe start they deserve!

The Shire of East Pilbara has expressed serious concern over the State Government’s funding offer for road reconstruction following Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia, warning that the proposal would result in roads being rebuilt to a much lower and non-resilient standard.

Authorities are investigating after a large piece of suspected space debris — believed to be from a Chinese Jielong rocket — was discovered about 30 kilometres east of Newman on Saturday afternoon.

The results of the 2025 Ordinary Election have now been officially declared.

The Shire of East Pilbara has unveiled a striking new mural at the Marble Bar Civic Centre the town’s first public artwork in over 30 years.

The Shire of East Pilbara has wrapped up another successful Street Blitz, held over Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 October in East Newman — with more than 72 cubic metres of waste cleared from local streets and public spaces in just two days.

The Shire of East Pilbara’s Youth & Community Garden is officially springing to life — and locals are invited to roll up their sleeves and be part of the launch. The new garden, located at the Newman Youth Centre, will be officially opened with a Community Busy Bee this Sunday, 19 October, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Formalities will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by a morning of gardening, building, and community connection. Morning tea will be provided.

Booking a Shire facility just got a whole lot easier. The Shire of East Pilbara is rolling out a new online booking system to simplify the way local residents, sporting clubs, and community groups reserve community venues.

The Newman Art Studio has officially reopened its doors, with the first ceramics workshops selling out in record time. All 48 tickets for the October workshops with Petra’s Pottery were snapped up within just two hours of going live.

The Shire of East Pilbara has defended its record on road maintenance and upgrades, pointing to big increases in funding and works delivered across the region. Shire President Anthony Middleton said Council also stands firmly behind CEO Steven Harding, praising his track record and commitment to securing better roads for the entire community.

The pool has re-opened in Marble Bar 

Measles testing sites have been opened across the Pilbara as health authorities work to identify the source of a fresh outbreak after four new cases were confirmed in the region on Monday 29 September 2025.

We’ve got some exciting news — the Newman Recreation Centre is getting a facelift! The old east and west walls of the sports courts are coming down and being rebuilt bigger, better and stronger. Works will commence in late September and are expected to take approximately 8 months to complete.

On Valentine’s Day this year, Cyclone Zelia left the Shire of East Pilbara with a $60 million road damage bill and more than 27 roads significantly impacted. Flood waters took weeks to subside, breaking records, with short term emergency works completed to temporarily restore access.   Shire President Cr Anthony Middleton said the situation was untenable: “With wet season fast approaching again we are eager to ensure that funding can be confirmed, and we can have the necessary work completed.”  

The election will be held on Saturday, 18 October 2025, and will be formally conducted as a postal election. Electors may cast their votes in person by lodging their ballot packages at Shire Offices. All electors will be sent a ballot paper by post from 12 September 2025.

The Shire of East Pilbara’s Million Moves Challenge officially kicked off on 1 September, with community members already logging their moves and joining free activities designed to inspire healthy habits.

$4.65 million Lotterywest grant will assist the Shire of East Pilbara to build a youth and community hub in Newman to provide a culturally safe space for the community.

COMMUNITY NOTICE – Emu Oval Maintenance The Shire of East Pilbara advises that contractors will be undertaking maintenance on a light tower at Emu Oval this Saturday, 30 August, from 7:00am. The work will involve the use of an Elevated Work Platform (EWP) and will focus on the light tower closest to the playground on the far side of Emu Oval. There will be no disruption to oval users, however we kindly ask the community to keep clear of the immediate area around the light tower while the works are in progress, for safety reasons. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Shire of East Pilbara