The $23 million redevelopment plan will include the creation of a new main street and new roads, upgrades of existing roads to make them more pedestrian-friendly and creation of land parcels for up to 600 townhouses and apartments along with additional commercial and retail space.Regional development and lands minister Brendon Grylls said the Royalties for Regions project would rejuvenate the South Hedland town centre into a residential, retail and commercial hub.“Many have considered the town a temporary location for mining and business to operate on a fly-in, fly-out basis, and the development of accommodation, amenities and social infrastructure has not kept pace with demand,” Grylls said. “This Royalties for Regions project will bring South Hedland into the modern era and provide much-needed land for a wide variety of homes and businesses, and lift the social amenity of the town.” Grylls said LandCorp and the Town of Port Hedland had worked closely on the redevelopment plan.“The works will improve the public spaces and general amenity of the town and link in with the new hospital,” Grylls said.“The project will create many opportunities for development, boost local businesses and social infrastructure, and stimulate a new economy for the town.“This will help provide a better lifestyle and much-improved infrastructure for the growing number of families settling permanently in the region.” LandCorp is expected to start work on streetscaping and road improvements in mid-2009, with the first englobo lot – undeveloped land with potential for further subdivision – to be offered to developers through a design tender process in early 2010. Royalties for Regions is a WA government initiative that will see the equivalent of 25% of the state’s annual mining and resources royalties revenue reinvested in regional communities every year.The money is in addition to regular budget programs and in 2008-09 will be around $675 million.
