Ecology, Urban Life and Industry: Partners or Opponents ? The Pilbara for Example

Kelley, D. (1975). Ecology, Urban Life and Industry: Partners or Opponents ? The Pilbara for Example. IIASA Working Paper. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: WP-75-031

Preview

Text WP-75-031.pdf Download (295kB) | Preview

Abstract

First, foremost and especially important, this is an incomplete and unfinished story. The area of Western Australia known as "the Pilbara" has existed for thousands of years, long before the Aborigines gave it its name. It is an area rich in minerals but precious little else unless one values sunbaked space.

The natural resources clearly represent exciting opportunities for exploitation, the big question is How? Some industrial activity has already begun and some port installations are in operation but compared with anticipated full potential the scale is miniscule.

On the whole the area is not one that man would choose to live and work in, although there are some attractive recreation possibilities on the coast. Like many such potential developments there will be a "critical mass" which means that everything is likely to be an expensive struggle until the critical mass is exceeded. Infrastructure, urban development, industrial development and protection of the environment must all be planned in phase with each other if an acceptable and economically worthwhile venture is to be achieved.

So what are the feasible development possibilities, what are the priorities, who puts up the capital and who does what?

Actions (login required)

View Item