Hedland community survey highlights and lowlights

Community safety, crime and a lack of childcare services were among the major concerns for Port Hedland residents in this year’s community perception survey.

With results being made public last week, the survey asks residents to rate the town on a number of criteria and identify where they believe improvements were needed.

Overall, residents were happy with the town’s waste and natural disaster management displays, with traffic, parking management, economic development and job creation also praised.

Community safety and crime, seniors services, children and family services and housing were among the top concerns.

It bears resemblance to previous years, with community safety seen as lacking for years.

In a statement, the Town of Port Hedland said it would focus on the Community Safety Plan, the integration of sport through the JD Hardie project and the development of the childcare strategy to reactivate the TAFE’s childcare centre.

In this year’s survey, one resident included a comment that said racial tension and disengaged youth as a challenge of living in Hedland.

“Obviously there is a problem with crime, particularly in South Hedland,” they said.

“A lack of guidance and safe spaces for youth is resulting in significant troubles all over.”

Another respondent said a dire shortage of childcare spots was symptomatic of the lack of staff in the region.

“Women are struggling to go back to work and secure employment which is putting pressure on many employers. Vacancies are high due to the lack of child care, this needs to be sorted as a priority,” they said.

“Pay childcare workers better rates and provide them with housing or housing allowances to attract them to the region.”

The town recorded a performance index score of 54 per cent under the ‘place to live’ category, 22 per cent lower than the State’s average of 76 per cent.

The survey was conducted from November to December last year and was completed by 1055 residents and temporary workers in the Town of Port Hedland.