Port Hedland (‘Hedland’) situated in the Pilbara is approximately 1700km north of Perth by road with a current estimated residential population of approximately 15,298 people. The town is surrounded by major mining industries and agricultural activities and is the world’s largest bulk tonnage export port. Most of the community infrastructure is in South Hedland were 66% of the population resides.

The Rose Nowers Early Learning Centre (‘Centre’) is centrally located within a residential housing cluster in South Hedland and considered restricted by location. Whilst the facility is suitably placed next to a state primary school, “Cassia Primary School”, the Centre and the school are constrained by location on a local/loop section of the road network with limited access and egress options. The land is relatively flat for the proposed development.

The Centre currently has regulatory approval for 43 placements. The number placements can be expanded to 134 placements with the Rose Nowers expansion proposal. Hedland is experiencing critical issues with families being unable to access suitable childcare placements, therefore impacting the local workforce. This project is considered a viable solution that will alleviate some of these constraints.

In 2021 the Town of Port Hedland (‘Town’) commissioned Child Australia to assess the Childcare needs in Hedland, with findings of those reports indicating a shortfall of around 380 childcare places across South Hedland. The Town is completing a follow-up gap analysis to assess the childcare needs in 2024.

The proposed development:

• Approximate 545sqm extensions to the east and west of the original building.

• A 2m wide veranda wrapping around most of the north, east and west sides of the building.

• A reduced setback to the front boundary of 3.15m to the building and 1.25m to veranda posts on west side.

• Proposed increased childcare accommodation numbers from 43 placements to 134 placements.

• New paving to whole perimeter of the building under the verandas.

• New aluminium slat fencing to the front and east side boundaries.

• New van parking area to the east side.

• Loading/unloading bay wholly onsite or immediately adjacent to the childcare building.

• Screened waste bin storage area.