This is an opportunity to create a unique and attractive maritime hub of international standing.
Drawing on Port Hedland’s rich maritime history, the proposed Maritime Precinct will create multiple opportunities for new economic activity in retail, hospitality, tourism, cultural, as well as training and education – supporting the Government’s goal of revitalising the town’s West End.
Hedland Maritime Initiative is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pilbara Ports Authority, a Government Trading Enterprise.
The vision is to:
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- provide residents within Port Hedland’s West End area with the opportunity to voluntarily sell their property for a commercially attractive, government-guaranteed market price, consistent with the Port Hedland West End Improvement Scheme 1 (IS1); and
- plan and develop the maritime precinct to support the revitalisation of the area into a vibrant precinct that minimises potential conflicts with existing land uses.
Team
Managing Director, Hedland Maritime Initiative
Karlene Bylund (BComm; AssocDipAccounting; DipProjectManagement, GAICD)
Karlene Bylund joined the Port Hedland Port Authority in March 2010 and held roles in property and commercial management before serving as Pilbara Ports Authority Director Commercial from October 2017 until June 2020.
Ms Bylund’s responsibilities at the Port Hedland Port Authority included property tenure management, obtaining property valuations and working on residential leases, as well as management of commercial leases and service provider licences.
As commercial lead, she has worked across critical infrastructure and service provider projects, major tendering and procurement activities. In 2020, Ms Bylund led the development of Australia’s first LNG ship-to-ship bunkering licences.
Prior to joining Pilbara Ports Authority, Ms Bylund held roles with several State Government agencies and Government Trading Enterprises where her responsibilities included corporate governance, financial, physical resources and operations management.
Ms Bylund has lived in remote and regional WA most of her life, including Karratha and Port Hedland. She and her husband have four adult children and run a small sheep and alpaca farm in the WA Wheatbelt.
Manager, Hedland Maritime Initiative
Richard Bairstow (BA Urban and Regional Studies; Dip Project Management)
Richard Bairstow joined Hedland Maritime Initiative in August 2020, on secondment from the Pilbara Development Commission (PDC).
Mr Bairstow has an extensive history in town planning, economic development, land and infrastructure in both the government and private sectors.
As PDC Manager Land and Infrastructure from 2013-2020 he managed the development and implementation of major regional projects including the initial Port Hedland Voluntary Buy-back Scheme, the Karratha, South Hedland, and Newman Town Centre redevelopments, Pilbara Under Ground Power Project – Phase 2, and many other land and infrastructure projects.
Previously he held the positions of Manager Planning and Manager Land and Economic Development at the Town of Port Hedland.
Mr Bairstow has lived in Port Hedland and is well-known to many Port Hedland residents. He is currently based in Perth and travels frequently to Port Hedland.
Project Manager, Hedland Maritime Initiative
Laura Hawes
Laura Hawes joined Hedland Maritime Initiative in July 2023.
Ms. Hawes has held Communications Management positions across local and state government and the education and not-for-profit sectors. She has extensive experience working in Hedland – prior to joining Hedland Maritime Initiative, Ms Hawes was the Manager of Corporate Affairs at the Town of Port Hedland and the Senior Communications Advisor at the Pilbara Development Commission.
During her career, Ms Hawes has worked on complex and integrated projects, policy development, and strategic communications campaigns. She is passionate about the Hedland community and excited about her new role as the Project Manager at the Hedland Maritime Initiative.
