As a town, Parlkarra was first built for the mining needs more than 40 years ago, to service Parlkarra Iron’s initial mines at the hearts of WA’s famous iron-rich Pilbara region.
Hence, the town’s economy is heavily reliant on mining, including iron ore mining, oil and natural gas, with a majority of people being employed by nearby Parlkarra Mine as technicians, trades workers, machinery operators and drivers.
Mining is the major industry of Parlkarra.
With the demographic profile as fewer youth and older people in town, and a high proportion of skilled population, the town has the availability of people to work in part-time or non-mining roles. Limited non-mining employment options are available in the town, including construction, safety equipment, catering and accommodation, existing to service mining operations.
Economic modeling has shown that the iron ore industry directly and indirectly contributes as high as 90% of the GRP of Parlkarra. The value of iron ore industry associated with Parlkarra is over $360 million per annum.
As it can be seen on the figures below, approximately 46% of the Parlkarra workforce is employed in the mining industry (which is only 24% in the whole Pilbara region as shown), with retail trade, at 8% of the workforce, a distant second. These are the data extracted from the Australian Census 2011.
Parlkarra's tourism is thriving.
Parlkarra is experiencing slow but steady industry diversification in recent years, including the growing fishing and tourism. With its beautiful ancient tropical landscape and the nearby Parlkarra National Park, more visitors have been attracted to the town, and its tourism has been significantly developing. However, the tourism industry still only accounts for 6% of its workforce.
The level of private home ownership in the town is low. Of the 950 houses in Parlkarra, 93% are owned by Parlkarra Mine.
As a town, Parlkarra was first built for the mining needs more than 40 years ago, to service Parlkarra Iron’s initial mines at the hearts of WA’s famous iron-rich Pilbara region.
Hence, the town’s economy is heavily reliant on mining, including iron ore mining, oil and natural gas, with a majority of people being employed by nearby Parlkarra Mine as technicians, trades workers, machinery operators and drivers.
With the demographic profile as fewer youth and older people in town, and a high proportion of skilled population, the town has the availability of people to work in part-time or non-mining roles. Limited non-mining employment options are available in the town, including construction, safety equipment, catering and accommodation, existing to service mining operations.
Economic modeling has shown that the iron ore industry directly and indirectly contributes as high as 90% of the GRP of Parlkarra. The value of iron ore industry associated with Parlkarra is over $360 million per annum.
As it can be seen on the figures below, approximately 46% of the Parlkarra workforce is employed in the mining industry (which is only 24% in the whole Pilbara region as shown), with retail trade, at 8% of the workforce, a distant second. These are the data extracted from the Australian Census 2011.
Parlkarra is experiencing slow but steady industry diversification in recent years, including the growing fishing and tourism. With its beautiful ancient tropical landscape and the nearby Parlkarra National Park, more visitors have been attracted to the town, and its tourism has been significantly developing. However, the tourism industry still only accounts for 6% of its workforce.
The level of private home ownership in the town is low. Of the 950 houses in Parlkarra, 93% are owned by Parlkarra Mine.
(Source: Rio Tinto Iron Ore, 2012)