News

Construction on the Newman Youth and Community Hub is officially underway, marking a major milestone for sport, recreation and community engagement across East Pilbara. Once complete, the hub will include a community library, youth centre, music recording studio, community meeting rooms, creche and playgrounds, multi-purpose sports court, community garden and seed bank.

The Shire of East Pilbara says the 2026–27 WA State Budget delivers some welcome local commitments, but a $2.4 billion surplus is harder to celebrate when communities across the East Pilbara are still dealing with damaged roads, housing shortages, stretched health services and basic infrastructure that is not keeping up with need.

The Shire of East Pilbara says a recently announced $32 million investment in the Newman Light Industrial Area is a welcome step but warns it does not address the full scale of industrial land constraints facing the region.

Each Tuesday, Elders across Newman are coming together at the Newman Library to take part in hands-on arts and crafts, as part of the Shire of East Pilbara’s Elders Program delivered in partnership with EPIS (East Pilbara Independence Support).

The Shire of East Pilbara has welcomed a $32 million State Government commitment to deliver 16 new lots in the Newman Light Industrial Area but says the State’s new ‘Seven Cities’ vision fails to recognise one of Western Australia’s most important economic regions. With the full 2026–27 State Budget due on 7 May, the Shire says the direction outlined so far raises broader concerns about how regional investment priorities are being set.

In observance of the ANZAC Day Public Holiday, the Shire of East Pilbara Administration, Libraries, Visitor Centre, Martumili Art Gallery and Youth Centre's will be closed or have modified operating hours over the Anzac Day long weekend.

Five young East Pilbara aquatic staff are taking the next step in their careers, travelling to Port Hedland to complete specialist training that will help support safe and reliable pool operations across the region.

A record 52 children, nearly double last year’s 27, immersed themselves in hands-on science and chemistry experiments during the latest school holiday STEM program at Newman Library, highlighting strong demand for accessible STEM learning in the East Pilbara.

The Shire of East Pilbara is aware of concerns raised by Punmu residents regarding road conditions and access into the community, including reports of impacts to supply deliveries.

Space debris from a Chinese Jielong rocket that survived fiery re-entry and landed smouldering in the Pilbara could stay in the East Pilbara, after the Shire formally wrote to the Australian Space Agency requesting to retain the object.

Marble Bar’s young people dodged the summer heat last Saturday for an action-packed community laser tag afternoon that turned the town’s Civic Centre into a laser tag battlefield.

For many people, moving to Newman is their first experience of life in the Pilbara — and the annual Welcome to Newman event is designed to make that transition a little easier.

Members of the Shire of East Pilbara’s newly established Youth Advisory Council have taken an important early step in representing young people across the region, travelling to Karratha to share their perspectives on what it takes to grow up, stay, and succeed in the Pilbara. The group attended the Community Sector Networking Expo, where they took part in a youth panel focused on the strengths, challenges and opportunities facing young people across the region.

Location: From McPhee Mine Site intersection to Nullagine ROAD WILL BE CLOSED – ALL VEHICLES Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm

DINGO PARK WILL BE CLOSED For Maintenance – Prickle Spraying Saturday, 28 February – Saturday, 7 March 2026 Reopening Sunday, 8 March 2026 This closure ensures a safe and comfortable environment for all dogs and their owners. Thank you for your understanding.

A Shire-backed kayak club delivered in partnership with The Y Newman is helping young people in Newman build water safety skills, stay active and connect to future training and employment opportunities, with strong participation from local families.

Two Martumili artists from the Shire of East Pilbara will take Pilbara stories, Martu culture and deep connections to Country to Melbourne this month, with Corban Clause Williams and Judith Anya Samson presenting major solo exhibitions during Melbourne Art Fair week.

The Shire of East Pilbara announces that 2026 Concert on the Green will take place on Saturday, 28 March from 6:00pm to 9:30pm at the Newman Fortescue Golf Club. The event is expected to draw around 500 residents throughout the evening and will feature live performances by cover band Afterglow and local solo artist Darren Field.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is hiring over 30,000 people for the 2026 Census. From capital cities to regional towns and remote areas, it’s important that every person and household is counted in the Census. By working in a Census field job, you’ll help collect the data that provides a snapshot of the country and how it is changing. You can earn extra money in a temporary job, with flexible hours that fit into your schedule.

The Shire of East Pilbara announces that the 2026 Welcome to Newman event will take place on Saturday, 14 March 2026, at Kangaroo Oval, Fortescue Avenue in Newman. The event is expected to draw around 600 residents and will feature live music.  

The Active Living Program has officially launched, and the energy from the community has been truly inspiring. The launch event was filled with smiles, conversation, and excitement as residents came together to celebrate a new opportunity to move more, connect, and prioritise their wellbeing.

The RPT Bus service is temporarily out of action due to unforeseen circumstances. The Shire of East Pilbara will provide further information as it becomes available.

After nearly a year of significant challenges following Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia in February 2025 — which caused widespread flooding and extensive damage to critical road networks — communities across the East Pilbara will soon see vital road repairs get underway.

Held in the Newman Community Hall, the event attracted more than 100 community members, family, and friends — the largest turnout for a local ceremony in recent memory. As part of the Shire’s Australia Day celebrations, the ceremony brought together new citizens, their loved ones and long-term residents to celebrate this important milestone and reflect on belonging in the East Pilbara. The ceremony was attended by the Hon Phill Twiss MLC, the Shire’s CEO Steven Harding along with Deputy President Peta Baer, who addressed new citizens and guests as part of the proceedings.

The Y WA’s Newman Early Learning Centre has partnered with the Shire of East Pilbara’s Newman Library through a new early literacy initiative aimed at giving local children the strongest possible start in life.

The Shire of East Pilbara welcomes the State Government’s decision to continue capped regional airfares, noting they are critical for enabling regional families to travel.

The Shire of East Pilbara has announced the winners of the 2025 Christmas Lights Competition, with communities across Newman, Nullagine and Marble Bar embracing the festive spirit and turning their neighbourhoods into Christmas showcases.

The Shire of East Pilbara is inviting expressions of interest from a local community group or organisation to deliver a FREE sausage sizzle from 12:00pm to 3pm at the Summer Pool Party on Monday, 26 January 2026 at the Newman Aquatic Centre.

Christmas Day services Thursday 25 December 2025 will take place on Friday 26 December 2025. Friday services will occur on Saturday 27 Dec 2025. New Year’s Day services Thu 1 January 2026 will take place on Friday 2 Jan 2026. Friday services will occur on Saturday 3 Jan 2026.