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Latest news from the department.

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Outback roads, Karijini National Park

Aboriginal community in the Pilbara says yes to alcohol ban

Jun 28, 2024
For the first time, the Aboriginal community of Strelley in the Pilbara has decided to ban alcohol to reduce harm to its residents and provide a place for healing.
Outback roads, Karijini National Park

New community goes dry and 3 renew commitment

Mar 20, 2024
An Aboriginal community in the Pilbara is the latest to ban alcohol and joins 3 north west communities renewing their commitment to being alcohol free.
Close up selfie of Red Rock Run producer Miriam Stein; writer Meg Shields and director Cathy Randall with Pilbara landscape in the background

New feature film Red Rock Run to be produced in Pilbara

Feb 9, 2024
Western Australian writer Meg Shields’ debut feature film, Red Rock Run, has been greenlit for production in the Pilbara later this year.
DLGSC Pilbara Regional Manager Toby Cotterel (left) with award winners in Karratha - Ashleigh Greenwell, Toby Fountain, Cassie Perry and Jodie Swaffer - plus Sharon Leyland from sponsor Extreme Edge.

Sports awards recognise Pilbara athletes and officials

Dec 5, 2023
The 2023 Pilbara Regional Sports Awards have recognised and celebrated the contribution and outstanding achievements of members of the local sport and recreation community.
A highway sign on a remote highway pointing down the road to the Mingullatharndo Community.

Mingullatharndo (Five Mile) goes dry to reduce alcohol-related harm

Nov 10, 2023
Mingullatharndo (Five Mile) in the Pilbara has become the latest liquor restricted community in Western Australia in response to concerns raised by local leaders and as part of the State Government’s ongoing action to reduce alcohol-related harm.
An overall view of Parliament

WA's strengthened Banned Drinkers Register passes Parliament

Nov 8, 2023
New laws to strengthen the Banned Drinkers Register passed through Parliament yesterday to improve its effectiveness in reducing alcohol-related harm.
Leveraged Creative and Cultural Planning Grant Program. A facilitator talking to an audience with someone writing on post-it notes on a white board.

Funding enriches regional art and culture

May 23, 2023
Local governments across the state are receiving support to undertake cultural planning, thanks to the latest round of culture and arts funding from the State Government.
Port Hedland Community Centre cutting of the ribbon for the opening

Revitalised Port Hedland sport and community hub opens

May 20, 2023
The State Government has delivered on a $10 million election commitment with the opening of the redeveloped Port Hedland Community Centre today.
A poster of an artwork by Beverley Rogers with the words, 'See your banner fly in the 2023 Reconciliation Week Street Banner Program'.'

Banners are a striking way to display support for reconciliation

Feb 28, 2023
Bookings to sponsor a Reconciliation Week street banner have now been extended to Friday 10 March 2023.
A group of people standing together outside

Whale Shark Jack and Drone Racers to film in WA’s regions

Feb 23, 2023
Whale Shark Jack is a heart-warming feature film about a young girl embarking on a risky mission to save a whale shark.
Mature man hesitates while picking out beer from a store.

Inquiries into Kimberley and Pilbara packaged liquor availability

Dec 16, 2022
WA’s Director of Liquor Licensing Lanie Chopping has proposed changes to the way packaged liquor is sold in some Kimberley towns, in her determination of 2 separate Inquiries under section 64 of the Liquor Control Act 1988 (the Act).
Group of athletes running on a track

Regional talent gets funding for sporting dreams

Nov 29, 2022
Regional athletes, coaches and officials are the beneficiaries of funding to 9 special programs around Western Australia that will help them achieve their sporting dreams.
A book being held up and read to young children

Yawuru-English edition of Nyamangarru Jalygurr/Baby Ways launched

Oct 19, 2022
A dual language Yawuru and English edition of a classic baby book has been launched — it is titled Nyamangarru Jalygurr/Baby Ways.
A box of wine bottles

Inquiries into Kimberley and Pilbara packaged liquor availability

Aug 3, 2022
Deadline for industry submissions extended until 1 September 2022.
An Aboriginal artist performing on stage with a colourful background of illustrated water lillies.

Huge funding boost to deliver exciting new regional Aboriginal arts and cultural projects

Jul 21, 2022
4 projects, ranging from an on-country camp in Wilkinkarra to create large scale visual artworks to a touring yellow bus that will demonstrate the Yindjibarndi people's enduring connection to country, have received a major funding boost from the State Government.
Two artists in costume in a field. Paul Foulds and Carl Heslop, The Beauty Index – Ravensthorpe, by Annette Carmichael Projects. Photo by Dene Bingham.

Seven home-grown productions hit the road to tour regional WA

Mar 17, 2022
Seven locally produced shows, including a production of 'Sydney II — Lost and Found' by Theatre 180 Inc, will tour regional Western Australia thanks to a $514,000 State Government funding program.
Internal exhibition space at the Cannery Arts Centre in Esperance

Regional galleries welcome upgrades to support touring visual arts

Mar 15, 2022
11 regional art galleries from Beverley to Port Hedland have been awarded $346,000 through the second round of the State Government's Public Regional Galleries Improvement Fund.
Two female dancers performing in traditional clothing

$700,000 to improve social inclusion and access to arts and culture in regional communities

Feb 17, 2022
Nine regional arts and cultural organisations have been funded by the Community Participation and Inclusion Program, which is part of the State Government's $20 million four-year Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program (RACIP).
Smoking ceremony

Eight regional festivals to bring together communities across the State

Feb 16, 2022
The Regional and Remote Festivals Fund offers up to $50,000 for the presentation of arts and cultural activities at regional festivals.
An aerial photo taken of the Western Australian town of Newman at sunrise

Funding ensures more sport and recreation opportunities for Newman youth

Feb 2, 2022
The State Government has provided funding to YMCA WA for the delivery of a new school holiday and out of school hours program in Newman.
A group of older children

Volunteers make the world go round

Dec 16, 2021
Talking about the huge value of sport and recreation volunteers may well be preaching to the choir but it never hurts to make just a little bit more noise about them.
Close up image of 6 bottle of beer with caps on, in a cardboard carry box

Availability of packaged liquor in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions

Dec 16, 2021
Consultation period for sale of packaged liquor extended.
Minister Paul Papalia MLA at a liquor store

Trial of Banned Drinkers Register in the Pilbara begins today

Dec 1, 2020
The State Government's Banned Drinkers Register trial in the Pilbara region has begun today.
A man windsurfing. Credit: Ben Welsh Getty Images

State Government contributes $85,000 to enrich country sport

Oct 21, 2020
Six regional sport initiatives to receive funding through Country Sport Enrichment Scheme.
A remote road in the Pilbara

Pilbara Banned Drinkers Register trial tender launched

Feb 21, 2020
The State Government is progressing the implementation of a trial of a Banned Drinkers Register (BDR) in the Pilbara, with the release today of a tender request outlining the requirements of the system.
Red dirt road in Western Australia

Minimising harm key driver for latest Pilbara wide liquor restrictions

Jan 15, 2019
A number of restrictions to further minimise alcohol related harm in the Pilbara region will come into effect from 31 March 2019 following a decision by the Director of Liquor Licensing.

Section 64 “Show Cause” in relation to alcohol-related harm in the Pilbara

May 31, 2012
Following consideration of the WA Police and the West Pilbara Alcohol Management Group jointly prepared report regarding the evidence and extent of alcohol-related harm.
Page reviewed 23 August 2023