Latest news with #Pilbara
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Businesses in WA coastal town Carnarvon struggle amid tourism decline
Residents of what was once a key highway stop-off feel they are being passed by as tourists head to Western Australia's north to escape the winter months. Carnarvon, 900 kilometres north of Perth, is the only major town between Geraldton and Karratha. It has generally hosted thousands of caravanners and other travellers on their way to tourist destinations in WA's Pilbara and Kimberley. But many businesses said this year's trade was so poor it could force their permanent closure. Jo Bumbak, who has sold preserves and ice creams using produce from the local area for 26 years, said this would likely be her final season. "There's businesses I've spoken to that said they don't even know if they're going to reopen their doors," she said. "I'm one of those businesses." Ms Bumbak said the length of stay for most caravanners visiting the region had declined, and state government-imposed liquor restrictions were a major factor. "I've heard of people who get all their stuff in Geraldton and bypass Carnarvon altogether," she said. "That's kind of a bit unfair because it's not the Carnarvon people who have made these decisions." Michelle Pinna, who has run the Norwesta Cararvan Park in Carnarvon for more than a decade, said the decline was noticeable. "Normally by Mother's Day I'm full, and it was certainly a lot emptier this year," she said. Ms Pinna said good weather in Perth may have stalled the season, but there were larger issues to be fixed. "It's always a stopover on the way to Exmouth, on the way to Coral Bay, but it is such a beautiful place." Many business owners also said the town's ongoing struggles with crime had hurt its reputation. "I know it's not just Carnarvon that has these issues," Ms Pinna said. "There's other big towns ... that have big problems, probably worse than Carnarvon. "I just think that Carnarvon does get a bad rap." Ms Bumbak called on the Shire of Carnarvon to check in with businesses to see how it could help. "A lot of the business people are feeling exactly the same way," she said. "That they have been let down by the shire and by the state government." Shire chief executive Amanda Dexter said tourism in the town had been "on the low side", citing the ongoing impact of COVID and liquor restrictions as factors. She said the shire had been working to improve the attractiveness of the main street, holding workshops and promoting local businesses. "We've talked a lot about stimulating the town centre," she said. "How we could possibly get people to linger a little longer and maybe spend a little bit more money?" However, when it came to crime and the impact of liquor restrictions, Ms Dexter said the shire's hands were tied. "We lobby and work with the government as much as we possibly can … but many of these things are not in our hands," she said. "We're often a toothless tiger." The WA Tourism Conference will be held in Carnarvon next May, bringing industry, government and academics to the region. Ms Dexter said she hoped it would bring a boost to the town. "We're hoping that we get to help the tourism community understand what Carnarvon has to offer and how wonderful it is," she said. "From that exposure get some real advertising and some real feedback out to … WA and the nation, and then be able to encourage more people to come and share this incredible place that we have."
ABC News
2 hours ago
- General
- ABC News
Wildlife rescue centres in WA's outback close due to lack of funding
Two wildlife sanctuaries in Western Australia's far north are set to close, sparking concerns about how injured and orphaned animals will be cared for. Nestled in an outback town in the Kimberley, Derby Native Wildlife has rehabilitated various native wildlife from flying foxes to crocodiles. Meanwhile Lisa's Kangaroo Retreat, in the Pilbara town of Port Hedland, has been caring for injured kangaroos and drawing in tourists for nearly two decades. Now both these rescue, rehabilitation and release centres are closing, citing rising costs and little support in the face of growing demand, in a trend reflected across the state. The decision to close Derby Native Wildlife has plagued owner Heidi Sampey, keeping her awake at night as she worries about the fate of local wildlife. But Ms Sampey said the 24/7 job has taken an emotional, physical and financial toll which she could no longer sustain. "It's not a decision I've taken easily, it's been a lot of heartfelt thinking and my major concern is what's going to happen to the animals found from now?" she said. Ms Sampey has been running the non-profit centre with the help of her partner, Ray Sampey, for over a decade. It was financed in part through donations and grants, but primarily paid for out of Ms Sampey's own pocket. "I love it but I just can't keep doing it by myself and without financial help. I can't keep money pouring in out of my own pockets," she said. The sanctuary released about 100 rehabilitated animals a year and Ms Sampey said operating costs were a couple of thousand dollars a month, including veterinary bills, food and transport. "There's no government funding unfortunately, we're on our own even though we're licensed through Parks and Wildlife … still financially we're responsible for everything," she said. Rescue centres are often a safe haven when tourists and locals find injured animals on the outback's vast roads. The closest sanctuary once Ms Sampey closes will be over 200 kilometres to the west in Broome and over 900km to the east in Kununurra. Ms Sampey said she planned to close in phases, in the hope someone might put up their hand to take over. Lisa Rose, in Port Hedland, has released 906 joeys and kangaroos since starting her centre 18 years ago, and is known locally as the "roo lady". "I shouldn't have to beg, borrow and plead for money that belongs to the community," she said. "They should just be giving it to me, I'm looking after their wildlife." Ms Rose said it cost $1.2 million a year to run the centre, three-quarters of which was funded through her cleaning company. Despite the financial struggle, she said the decision to close the centre was incredibly difficult and had been five years in the making. She said she would be "one big sad mess" when the centre's front sign came down. Animals currently in care at Derby Native Wildlife and Lisa's Kangaroo Retreat will either be released or transferred to the few remaining sanctuaries in WA's far north. In a statement, the WA government said it valued the work of wildlife rehabilitators and would continue to support grant applications. "Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions staff can assist with triage and prioritisation of fauna to appropriate facilities and people," the statement said. "The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions does not employ staff to collect and rehabilitate native fauna and is greatly appreciative of the great work fauna rehabilitators do."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rio Tinto And Hancock To Invest In Hope Downs 2 Project In Pilbara
Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) is among the 11 Best Copper Stocks to Buy Now. The firm and Hancock Prospecting will invest $1.61 billion, with Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) contributing $800 million, to develop the Hope Downs 2 iron ore project in the Pilbara area of Western Australia. Aerial view of an open pit mine, with workers extracting minerals. Two above-water-table pits with a combined yearly production capacity of 31 million tonnes will be part of the project, which has obtained all necessary State and Federal licenses. More than 950 jobs will be created during construction, and the operation will support about 1,000 full-time equivalent positions at Greater Hope Downs. It is anticipated that the first ore will be mined in 2027 and then delivered to Hope Downs 1 for processing. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) and Hancock Prospecting have a long-standing cooperation, which was marked with the establishment of the Hope Downs Joint Venture in 2006. Hope Downs 1 started production in 2007, subsequently followed by Hope Downs 4 in 2013. Hope Downs 2 will feature additional infrastructure, rail crossings, transport roads, and a 6-kilometer realignment of the Great Northern Highway. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO)'s plan to maintain Pilbara output, which targets 345–360 Mtpa capacity, is backed by the project. The $13 billion investment plan (2025-2027) and an initial feasibility study at Rhodes Ridge show the company's sustained commitment to Pilbara iron ore. It is among the best copper stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of RIO as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 High-Growth EV Stocks to Invest In and 13 Best Car Stocks to Buy in 2025. Disclosure. None.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rio Tinto And Hancock To Invest In Hope Downs 2 Project In Pilbara
Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) is among the 11 Best Copper Stocks to Buy Now. The firm and Hancock Prospecting will invest $1.61 billion, with Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) contributing $800 million, to develop the Hope Downs 2 iron ore project in the Pilbara area of Western Australia. Aerial view of an open pit mine, with workers extracting minerals. Two above-water-table pits with a combined yearly production capacity of 31 million tonnes will be part of the project, which has obtained all necessary State and Federal licenses. More than 950 jobs will be created during construction, and the operation will support about 1,000 full-time equivalent positions at Greater Hope Downs. It is anticipated that the first ore will be mined in 2027 and then delivered to Hope Downs 1 for processing. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) and Hancock Prospecting have a long-standing cooperation, which was marked with the establishment of the Hope Downs Joint Venture in 2006. Hope Downs 1 started production in 2007, subsequently followed by Hope Downs 4 in 2013. Hope Downs 2 will feature additional infrastructure, rail crossings, transport roads, and a 6-kilometer realignment of the Great Northern Highway. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO)'s plan to maintain Pilbara output, which targets 345–360 Mtpa capacity, is backed by the project. The $13 billion investment plan (2025-2027) and an initial feasibility study at Rhodes Ridge show the company's sustained commitment to Pilbara iron ore. It is among the best copper stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of RIO as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 High-Growth EV Stocks to Invest In and 13 Best Car Stocks to Buy in 2025. Disclosure. None.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rio Tinto And Hancock To Invest In Hope Downs 2 Project In Pilbara
Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) is among the 11 Best Copper Stocks to Buy Now. The firm and Hancock Prospecting will invest $1.61 billion, with Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) contributing $800 million, to develop the Hope Downs 2 iron ore project in the Pilbara area of Western Australia. Aerial view of an open pit mine, with workers extracting minerals. Two above-water-table pits with a combined yearly production capacity of 31 million tonnes will be part of the project, which has obtained all necessary State and Federal licenses. More than 950 jobs will be created during construction, and the operation will support about 1,000 full-time equivalent positions at Greater Hope Downs. It is anticipated that the first ore will be mined in 2027 and then delivered to Hope Downs 1 for processing. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) and Hancock Prospecting have a long-standing cooperation, which was marked with the establishment of the Hope Downs Joint Venture in 2006. Hope Downs 1 started production in 2007, subsequently followed by Hope Downs 4 in 2013. Hope Downs 2 will feature additional infrastructure, rail crossings, transport roads, and a 6-kilometer realignment of the Great Northern Highway. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO)'s plan to maintain Pilbara output, which targets 345–360 Mtpa capacity, is backed by the project. The $13 billion investment plan (2025-2027) and an initial feasibility study at Rhodes Ridge show the company's sustained commitment to Pilbara iron ore. It is among the best copper stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of RIO as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 High-Growth EV Stocks to Invest In and 13 Best Car Stocks to Buy in 2025. Disclosure. None.
