Published on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 at 8:49:18 AM
The Town of Port Hedland is proud to announce it has received two nominations for the 2026 Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) Awards of Excellence, recognising its leadership in innovative public space design and long-term planning for a more liveable future.
The Town has been nominated for the Playspace Award for Kurlu Kurlu Wirri - Spoilbank Marina Playground and the Strategic Planning Award for the Public Open Space and Street Tree Strategy 2025-2035, highlighting its commitment to creating inclusive, climate-responsive and community-focused environments.
The Kurlu Kurlu Wirri - Spoilbank Marina Playground is the largest destination playground in the Pilbara, transforming Port Hedland’s maritime and industrial identity into a large-scale adventure landscape at the Spoilbank Marina precinct.
Spanning more than 1,200 square metres, the playground delivers 78 play activities and can accommodate up to 136 users at one time.
Designed for children of all abilities, the play space provides an inclusive environment where everyone can participate, play and connect.
Mayor Jacinta Behrend said the dual nominations reflected the Town’s commitment to delivering community centered projects with long-term strategic outcomes.
“These nominations showcase the breadth of work we are delivering in Port Hedland." Mayor Behrend said.
“Strengthening community connection is at the heart of these initiatives."
"From bringing families together at a landmark playground, to planning for a cooler and greener future in Hedland, we’re working together to help make our town a more attractive place to live, work and play," Mayor Behrend said.
The Town’s Public Open Space and Street Tree Strategy has been recognised for its innovative “Green Network” approach, connecting parks and street trees through a hub-and-spoke model to deliver cooler, more equitable and liveable public spaces in an extreme climate.
The PLA Awards of Excellence celebrate outstanding achievements in parks, leisure and recreation across Australia, recognising innovative projects, dedicated professionals and initiatives that deliver meaningful community impact.
Winners will be announced in June.
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