Port Hedland Airport Place Plan

Port Hedland is a key gateway town to the Pilbara, a home to one of the largest iron ore deposits on earth beneath the ruggedly beautiful landscape. The redevelopment of Port Hedland Airport was necessitated by significant increase in airport travel and freight traffic, particularly due to the mining boom, and also responds to the Town Growth Plan strategy to develop tourism opportunities in the region.

The owner and operator of the airport, the Town of Port Hedland, engaged Village Well to produce a Place Plan for the airport with the objective of guiding future masterplanning and development and engaging key stakeholders and the community in the vision and the early planning process.

Village Well’s research and consultation process explored ways in which the airport could be transformed from a ‘non-place’ to a ‘third place’ and become a key community destination.

The process brought together airport operations and customers, Council elected representatives, community and business leaders and residents, most of whom expressed aspirations for the airport to be a much more welcoming, social experience with a strong sense of the town’s character and the Pilbara’s qualities.

Village Well undertook further place research and developed placemaking recommendations regarding the airport masterplan, layout and community and local economic development initiatives that could enhance and sustain a distinctive and vibrant airport experience.

The Place Plan articulated the stakeholders’ shared vision for the new, expanded airport and Village Well’s specific placemaking recommendations in a concise report and annotated plan. The Place Plan is a core part of the Airport Design Brief and a guide to future management.