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Town of Port Hedland

Environmental Sustainability Strategy Review & Future Scope Development

The Town of Port Hedland engaged Orka Advisory to undertake an independent review of its Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2022–2027 and provide recommendations to guide the next phase of sustainability planning and implementation. Operating within a unique regional environment…

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY AND DOCUMENT REVIEW • STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION • SUSTAINABILITY MATURITY AND CURRENT-STATE ASSESSMENT • FINDINGS AND STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS • FUTURE STRATEGY SCOPE DEVELOPMENT •
01 PROJECT OVERVIEW
THE CHALLENGE

Understanding the context before acting.

The Town of Port Hedland engaged Orka Advisory to undertake an independent review of its Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2022–2027 and provide recommendations to guide the next phase of sustainability planning and implementation.

Operating within a unique regional environment shaped by climate conditions, industrial activity, population dynamics and growth aspirations, the Town sought a clearer understanding of its current sustainability maturity, implementation progress and emerging priorities.

Orka Advisory reviewed the Town’s existing strategy and broader planning framework, conducted stakeholder consultation across multiple business areas, and assessed current governance, implementation and performance measurement arrangements. The engagement identified existing strengths, opportunities for greater organisational integration, and practical priorities for a refreshed Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

Orka Advisory also developed a detailed scope of works to support the Town’s future strategy redevelopment and procurement process.

ACTION
WHAT ORKA DID

From challenge to practical action.

The engagement was structured around the workstreams required to address the client's specific context, priorities and objectives.

01

Sustainability Strategy and Document Review

Reviewed the Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2022–2027 and associated action plans. Assessed relevant corporate, operational and community strategies to understand how sustainability was reflected across the Town’s broader planning framework. Identified areas of alignment, duplication, fragmentation and opportunity.

02

Stakeholder Consultation

  • Facilitated four consultation workshops involving representatives from Environmental Services, Infrastructure Services, Waste and Resource Recovery, Parks and Reserves, Fleet, Project Delivery, Planning, Economic Development, Community Development, Governance, Finance, Public Affairs and executive leadership.
  • Explored implementation experiences, organisational barriers, governance arrangements, emerging priorities and opportunities to strengthen future sustainability delivery.
03

Sustainability Maturity and Current-State Assessment

  • Assessed the Town’s sustainability maturity across strategic alignment, governance, organisational ownership, implementation, performance measurement, reporting, community engagement and partnerships.
  • Identified the Town’s transition from project-based sustainability delivery towards a more integrated, organisation-wide sustainability model.
04

Findings and Strategic Recommendations

Developed ten practical recommendations to strengthen sustainability integration, governance, accountability and implementation. Key areas included climate resilience, water security, resource efficiency, circular economy opportunities, sustainable infrastructure, urban greening, community engagement, partnerships and performance reporting.

05

Future Strategy Scope Development

Developed a comprehensive scope of works for the future redevelopment of the Town’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy. The scope established proposed objectives, deliverables, stakeholder engagement requirements, governance arrangements, implementation planning expectations, performance indicators and consultant evaluation criteria.

THE APPROACH

Connected thinking, not isolated deliverables.

Each workstream contributes to the broader objective of helping the organisation move forward with greater clarity, capability and confidence.

01 Sustainability Strategy and Document Review
02 Stakeholder Consultation
03 Sustainability Maturity and Current-State Assessment
04 Findings and Strategic Recommendations
05 Future Strategy Scope Development
OUTCOMES

What changed.

The value of the engagement is reflected in stronger capability, clearer priorities and practical progress for the organisation.

01

Clearer understanding of sustainability maturity

The Town gained an evidence-based understanding of its existing strengths, implementation progress and the areas requiring further development.

02

Stronger organisational integration

The review demonstrated how sustainability was already contributing to infrastructure, waste management, planning, public health, community development and economic outcomes, while identifying opportunities to better coordinate these activities.

03

Practical governance and accountability pathway

Recommendations provided a clear direction for strengthening organisational ownership, cross-departmental coordination, accountability and sustainability reporting.

04

More focused future priorities

The Town gained greater clarity on emerging priorities including climate resilience, water security, resource efficiency, circular economy initiatives, sustainable infrastructure, urban greening and biodiversity.

05

Procurement-ready pathway for the next strategy

The detailed scope of works provided the Town with a structured foundation for procuring and developing a refreshed Environmental Sustainability Strategy and implementation framework.

06

Foundation for measurable sustainability outcomes

The engagement positioned the Town to move from a broad strategic framework towards a practical, integrated and measurable approach that supports long-term environmental stewardship, community wellbeing and organisational resilience.

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