Published on Tuesday, 5 May 2026 at 12:16:42 PM
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.
The funding follows sustained advocacy from the Shire, including a formally tabled petition to the Western Australian Parliament and a recent appearance by Chief Executive Officer Steven Harding and Director of Regulatory Service, Rob Paull, before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Land Development and Planning.
Mr Harding said while the additional light industrial lots are a positive outcome, they represent only part of the solution.
“This is a good first step, and it shows the issue is being recognised,” he said.
“But the reality is the shortage goes well beyond light industrial land. We are seeing strong demand for general industrial land as well, and that pressure is not being addressed through this announcement.”
“In the absence of sufficient general industrial land, businesses are being pushed into the Light Industrial Area, which was never intended to accommodate those types of operations,” he said.
Mr Harding said the Shire is also seeking greater clarity around the delivery of the new lots.
“We need to understand the timing, when these lots will be serviced, released and made available to market, because businesses in Newman are already waiting,” he said.
“Delays in bringing land online directly impact local jobs, investment decisions and the ability of businesses to operate and grow.”
The Shire also pointed to broader structural constraints affecting land supply across Newman, particularly the extent of unallocated Crown land within the townsite that is not zoned appropriately for development.
Mr Harding said the current planning framework creates additional barriers that are difficult to resolve quickly.
“There are significant areas of unallocated Crown land throughout Newman that are effectively locked up due to outdated or unsuitable zoning,” he said.
“Rezoning these areas is not straightforward. It involves multiple agencies and approval processes, which can take considerable time and creates uncertainty for potential development.”
Mr Harding said the issue is not about a single project, but about ensuring the region has a clear and coordinated pipeline of industrial land.
“We’ve been very clear in our advocacy. This is a long-term issue that requires a sustained pipeline of land, not a one-off announcement,” he said.
“Newman plays a critical role in the State’s economy, and we need to see a long-term plan that ensures land supply keeps pace with demand.”
Shire President Anthony Middleton said the Shire will continue to work with the State Government to progress practical solutions.
“We’re ready to work through this with the State, but we need to see momentum across all fronts, not just light industrial, but general industrial land and the planning settings that are holding development back,” he said.
“We look forward to the upcoming State Budget providing further detail on delivery timelines, and outlining how broader industrial land needs in Newman, including general industrial land supply, will be addressed,” he said.
Pictured Director of Regulatory Services Robert Paull and Chief Executive Officer Steven Harding
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