Pilbara Port City Vision Model

An extremely popular exhibit at the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce is the Pilbara Port City Vision Model – a physical scale model of the entire Hedland region, including Port Hedland, South Hedland, Wedgefield, the airport, the harbour and surrounding areas.

The Chamber developed the model in 2011 as a combined visualisation, testing and planning tool, to centralise and streamline the vast amount of development occurring across the region. It is designed to be relevant to all who have an interest in the Hedland region – from local community members to business owners to statutory planners to international developers and investors. It was formally unveiled for the first time at the inaugural Hedland Economic & Resources Forum with WA Premier Colin Barnett, and was hailed as a significant step forward in the plan to grow Hedland into a city.

The Hedland Model was designed to reflect continual change, as it allows sections of the model to be lifted out and replaced with updated versions, mock-up concepts, and plans of upcoming advancements. Innovators and developers in the Hedland region use the model to visualise and road-test their concepts and ideas in the planning stages, and to reflect the ongoing changes which are constantly occurring across the Hedland landscape.

Current developments are highlighted on accompanying posterboards for exhibitions and displays, corresponding to physical locations on the master model. 

The physical model was crafted by Hartree & Associates, a WA-based architectural and modelling firm. They were given the primary objective of creating a dynamic working tool, the parent model, offering the flexibility to test various planning and rezoning options within the context of its surroundings. Within each panel, super lots are defined as removable templates, essentially a giant jigsaw, allowing community planners and business leaders to prepare and test options for community and stakeholder discussion and feedback in a simple  cost effective format.

The model is fabricated in four panels – Port Hedland, Lumsden, Wedgefield and South Hedland. These panels can be displayed as one master model or separated for display in workshops independently. The developers have also made allowances to incorporate future development of the Lumsden Hub and also the Outer Harbour Development on a fifth panel.

Left to right: PHCCI President Bill Dziombak, Premier of Western Australia the Hon Colin Barnett MLA, PHCCI Executive Officer Kim Bailey and PHCCI Secretary Arnold Carter, at the unveiling of the Pilbara Port City Model at the Hedland Ecomomic & Resources Forum..

Vital statistics:

• Size: 3.8 metres long and 2.4 metres wide
• Scale: 1:4000
• Materials: Plywood, PVC and acrylic, coloured with automotive paints
• Build Time: 12 weeks

How the model came about:

The model was inspired by similar examples developed in China which were established to demonstrate growth and opportunities for projects within particular regions.

The aim of this project was to create a tool to facilitate the transformation of Port Hedland from a town into a city.

The numerous projects featured on the model are designed to educate both the community and investors of the opportunities available within Port Hedland.

After a handful of architects expressed an interest in the project, Western Australian based f irm Hartree and Associates Architects was appointed to undertake the work spending much time in Port Hedland during its development. Unique by design, the model was fabricated in four panels including Port Hedland, Lumsden, Wedgefield and South Hedland which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle making it easy to transport and section off as required.

The design also allows for the model to be easily updated as the town grows into a city.

This project is a joint initiative driven by the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce Inc. The Chamber would like to thank the Town of Port Hedland for its support and contribution to this project.