Collective impact outcomes can never be enjoyed without a deep commitment to collaboration from all stakeholders. After all, enjoying positive, sustainable impacts in our communities is never solo work. As a backbone member of Newman Futures, Creating Communities joined with BHP, the Shire of East Pilbara and Newman stakeholders to co-design a strategy for building a sustainable, inclusive economy.

The Newman Futures strategy was launched in November 2019 after more than 600 consultations, meetings and events resulted in broad endorsement of a new way forward. The vision is a diverse economy that is inclusive to all. It was informed by an understanding of the urgent need for action on key issues facing our society, such as climate change, social inequality, and economic instability.

Stakeholders from all sectors and all parts of the community explored how changes in the local economy and to the nature of work could be capitalised on for the benefit of the whole community. Newman Futures has focussed on building stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia, recognising the importance of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in addressing key issues such as climate change, social justice, and economic development.

In co-creating Newman Futures, Creating Communities incorporated each of our models: the 3D Model, the Sociology of Community Model, Intentional Communities Model, Opportunity Model, and the Rope Model. It is indicative of the multi-faceted nature of this vision for Newman that multitude models were activated – discovery, design, delivery, engagement of multiple stakeholders, navigating change, planning, and a growing understanding of the community were all at the heart of the project.

With broad and far-reaching goals, Newman Futures’ approached embraced inclusivity, strategies that would generate educational outcomes, safer communities, greater access to services and an understanding of traditional owners that reflected collaboration, unity, and respect.