Local input is vital to funds

Following news State funding for a new marina complex at Port Hedland’s Spoilbank has been assured in the Budget, a community consultation will be held this Saturday at Wanangkura Stadium.

Dubbed “deliberative democracy” by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan, the forum is being hosted by the WA Government and facilitated by Curtin University.

Ms MacTiernan said it would be an opportunity for Hedland residents to have their say on the future of their community.

“When Labor was last in government, we used deliberative democracy processes to deal with a number of complex issues such as road trains and urban growth,” she said.

“It allows us to get the community involved in decision-making processes, ensuring the best possible outcomes. We aren’t going into the exercise with any pre-conceptions; we’ll present the facts and let the community decide how best the money should be spent.”

Ms MacTiernan said the aim was to engage the Hedland community, work out what they thought was the best use of the $112 million funding and how the community would prioritise the marina against needs such as health, education and other facilities.