Published on Monday, 28 April 2025 at 12:34:09 PM
The Town of Port Hedland has installed two water fountains with cold, drinkable water as part of a pilot project aimed at reducing the impact of heat on vulnerable groups, including young people.
The fountains – at JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub and South Hedland Town Square – will be officially launched on 30 April.
The Town of Port Hedland was identified as a pilot site for the Heat Vulnerability Project being run by the Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) with local consultation being undertaken to support a place-based approach to the project’s implementation.
The Hedland Youth Advisory Council’s (YAC) advocacy played a critical role in gaining support from Council for the water fountain installation.
Mayor Peter Carter paid tribute to the YAC, which made a presentation to councillors about the project and its importance in safeguarding vulnerable community members.
“The Youth Advisory Council is passionate about ensuring young people in Hedland have access to the services that support their wellbeing and provide positive outcomes for them,” Mayor Carter said.
“These new water fountains will go a long way to providing young people with better health and wellbeing outcomes.”
Youth Advisory Council member Regan Hulse said their consultation with young people had identified access to cold, fresh drinkable water was impacting the wellbeing of children and young people in Hedland.
“Young people in Hedland often walk or use other physical transport such as bikes or scooters to get around,” Regan said.
“What we found was the lack of cold, drinkable water left young people particularly vulnerable to the impacts of our harsh climate.”
Carole Green, the Heat Vulnerability Project Manager, cited the importance of the community’s input into the project as the reason for water fountains being installed.
“This project aimed to listen to what community needs were, as we yarned with Elders from Wangka Maya, chatted to new mums at Well Women’s, and delivered heat education with Youth Involvement Council, we continued to hear the need for cold and filtered water that is freely accessible."
“We are thrilled to be supporting the water fountains in South Hedland, and grateful to the Youth Advisory Council and the other community groups that have helped push this across the line.”
The launch of the water fountains will be celebrated at the JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub on 30 April from 3:00pm - 5:00pm with a free barbecue, volleyball, basketball and other activities, as well as free cooling packs and resources.
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