This publication was produced by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions, and Cities (CFE), led by Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director, in accordance with the programme of work of the Regional Development Policy Committee (RDPC) with the support of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of Western Australia (DPIRD).
The report was conducted in close collaboration with the Pilbara Development Commission (PDC). Particular appreciation is extended to Terry Hill, Michael Heap and Richard Hancock from the PDC and John Acres from the DPIRD for their consistent support throughout the project.
The OECD team responsible for the report includes Andres Sanabria, project co-ordinator, working under the guidance of Jose Enrique Garcilazo, Head of the Regional and Rural Policy Unit in the Regional Development and Multi-level Governance Division, led by Dorothée Allain-Dupré. The report was drafted by Fernando Riaza and Jenny Vyas (Chapter 2), Andres Sanabria (Chapters 3 and 4) and Russell Barnett (Australian Venture Consultants) (Chapter 4). The review has benefitted from comments from other OECD colleagues, including Bridget Donovan, Lisanne Raderschall and Isidora Zapata (CFE). Evangelina Thanasi co-ordinated the organisation of meetings and missions, and Pilar Phillip led the publication process. The report was copy-edited and formatted by Eleonore Morena. Special thanks are due to Alicia Dubois (Royal British Columbia Museum and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business) for her invaluable input and advice as an external peer reviewer and for her commitment to exchanging good practices with First Nations in the region. The OECD also extends its gratitude and respect to all First Nations representatives from Eastern Guruma, Kariyara, Ngarluma and Nyiyaparli communities who offered us their time and visions.
The OECD appreciates the invaluable contribution of numerous individuals and institutions, who offered insightful comments during OECD missions and detailed feedback on the report. Contributors include the Aboriginal Medical Service, BHP, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME), the city of Karratha, the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation Western Australia (WA), the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety WA, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage WA, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation WA, Karratha and Districts Chamber Commerce & Industry, Martumill Artists based in East Pilbara Arts Centre, Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, Nintirri Centre, Karlka Niyayparli Aboriginal Corporation, Pilbara Port Authority, Pilbara University Centre, Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce, Rio Tinto, the Shire of Ashburton, the Shire of East Pilbara, Spinifex Hill Studio, the town of Port Hedland and the Parliament of Western Australia. Finally, particular thanks go to Susan Cull (CME) David Fleming Munoz, Economist (CSIRO), Fiona Haslam-McKenzie (University of Western Australia) and George Wilkinson III (University of Western Australia).