PHIC members BHP, Fortescue, Roy Hill, Mineral Resources, Pilbara Ports, and PLS have provided a snapshot of their Pilbara social investment programs that deliver benefits for a range of community and educational organisations.  

BHP’s Port Hedland highlights included:  

  • Partnering with the Hedland Maritime Initiative to make 24 properties available for short-term lease in Hedland’s West End to help address the lack of affordable short-term accommodation in the area.   
  • Funding for the Hedland Well Women’s Centre Women’s GP Telehealth Pilot to trial the provision of a much-needed GP service that aims to address the shortage of specialised women’s health services available in Hedland and the Pilbara and will now offer up to 16 appointments per month.   
  • A new arrangement with Recfishwest, offering new recreational fishing opportunities and boosting the tourism potential of the Port Hedland region thanks to the purchase and deployment of five fish aggregating devices, known as FADs, in waters 20 to 40 nautical miles off the coast of Hedland.   
  • Planting more than 150,000 seedlings through a partnership with Greening Australia for Project LEAF (Leaf Enhanced Air Filtration), an innovative science-led project using native vegetation barriers to improve air quality in the West End.   

Fortescue supports a range of community groups with partnerships including Town of Port Hedland, South Hedland Swans Football Club, Hedland Women’s Refuge, Matt Dann Theatre & Cinema; Earbus Foundation of WA, Care For Hedland , Hedland Senior High School, Teach Learn Grow , WA Police Legacy, and SAFE – Port Hedland.  

 It also supports several events including Welcome to Hedland, the Pink Pilbara Breakfast, Hedland says No to Family Violence March, the Careers Expo, and Spinifex Spree.  

 PLS new community partnerships for 2024 included:  

  • Madalah – Supporting two scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students from the Pilbara for three years (Years 10, 11, and 12) to boarding schools in Perth.   
  • Women’s Legal Service WA – Socio-legal Wellbeing and Safety Program: A two-year initiative that facilitates outreach, both virtually and in-person, aiming to provide access to integrated socio-legal assistance (lawyers and social workers) to women in the Pilbara who are experiencing domestic and family violence.   
  • Foodbank WA Nom! Schools Program – A three-year comprehensive hands-on nutrition education and cooking program   
  • Hedland Well Women’s Centre – Mental Health Support: A three-year project to ensure women in Hedland can access counselling and psychology appointments free of charge including a range of complementary allied telehealth appointments.   
  • Shooting Stars – A three-year program to strengthen the Shooting Stars program in Port Hedland and Pilbara region   
  • Yandeyarra Community School – A funding agreement with for three years which empowers them to identify the priority areas for the school.  

Roy Hill’s Community Grants Program allows eligible parties to submit applications for funding up to $10,000 to deliver community activations and outreach activities.   

Recent recipients include:   

  • Cancer Council Australia   
  • Port Hedland Water Polo Association   
  • EdConnect   
  • Hedland Well Women’s Centre   
  • Jigalong Community Inc   
  • Constable Care Foundation   
  • Port Hedland Softball Association   
  • Hedland Community Living Association   

Mineral Resources support included $100,000 towards the construction of a new facility for Marine Rescue Port Hedland. 

Other groups supported included: 

  • Bloodwood Tree Association   
  • Care for Hedland Environmental Association   
  • CareFlight – Hedland   
  • Cancer Council WA (Pilbara)   
  • Hedland Senior High School   
  • Hedland Well Women’s Centre   

Pilbara Ports is also supporting the Marine Rescue Port Hedland upgrade, providing $200,000. 

Recent small grants were approved for Spinifex Hill Studio, Care for Hedland, Port Hedland Softball Association, NW Multicultural Association, Hedland Junior Soccer Association, SAFE Port Hedland, and North Pilbara Football League. 

A one-year agreement with Town of Port Hedland is supporting youth park infrastructure, Ship to Shore and Good Night’s concert events, seniors and youth programs, and citizenship and sports awards. 

Full details of all PHIC member community grants programs are available here.    

The full presentations and full CIF minutes will be available here.