Published on Friday, 30 January 2026 at 4:46:09 PM
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.
The confirmation of $5,650,458 in Tranche 1 disaster recovery funding marks a major breakthrough and welcome step toward restoring safe, reliable access after prolonged disruption for residents across the region.
This funding, under the first Tranche of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, will enable the Shire of East Pilbara to commence works on five priority roads — lifelines for regional access, freight movements, connections between remote communities and everyday travel.
To manage recovery across the Shire’s vast road network, priority roads have been grouped into staged tranches, with Tranche 1 — the first of five stages — focused on restoring access to communities hardest hit, including Punmu, where damage has limited connections to essential services, supplies and cultural obligations. Following an extended assessment and approval process under disaster recovery arrangements, confirmation of funding now allows works on these first priority roads to begin.
Works under Tranche 1 will focus on Punmu Road, Noreena–Roy Hill Road, Muccan–Shay Gap Road, Goldsworthy Road and Boreline Road, with construction expected to commence during the first quarter of 2026, subject to weather conditions and site access.
Shire President Cr Anthony Middleton said the disaster recovery works would complement a significant program of routine road maintenance and capital upgrades already underway across the region.
“In the Pilbara, roads are true lifelines. When they’re damaged, people feel it immediately — whether it’s families facing longer and riskier trips, workers and businesses dealing with unreliable freight and supply routes or remote communities cut off from essential services,” Cr Middleton said.
“Residents have shown incredible patience through these severe weather impacts and the extended recovery process.
“This first tranche is the result of sustained advocacy by the Shire and a real win for our communities, securing over $5.5 million to get essential repairs underway after months of negotiation and delay.
“It’s a real step forward. It means safer travel, restored connections, eased daily pressures and real work starting on the roads our communities rely on every day. With our region facing more frequent intense weather events, these repairs are also an important step toward building more resilient infrastructure that communities can rely on long-term.”
With Tranche 1 now confirmed, works will begin on five priority roads, while a further 17 roads have been identified under the broader disaster recovery program. Planning is progressing to deliver the remaining stages as funding for additional tranches is confirmed and conditions allow.
Alongside disaster recovery works, the Shire is advancing a substantial program of non-disaster-related road maintenance and capital projects during the current financial year, funded through a mix of Shire, State and Federal sources.
In total, this includes approximately $21 million in road maintenance and upgrade works being delivered across the region, in addition to disaster recovery funding — helping tackle the broader challenges of maintaining a vast, largely unsealed road network.
The program also includes floodway construction works on Muccan–Shay Gap Road, which are nearing completion following damage sustained during last year’s severe weather events.
The Shire remains committed to delivering these works safely and efficiently and will provide regular updates as construction commences and progresses across the region.
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