Initial Impact Assessment of COVID-19 on the Pilbara Economy

May 2020

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Pilbara in collaboration with the four Pilbara Chambers of Commerce and Industry have produced an Initial Impact Assessment of COVID-19 on the Pilbara Economy report.

The impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on Australia is gradually emerging through a rapid mobilisation of economic, financial and statistical data. At the Federal level the Treasury, Reserve Bank, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics are the main sources, while a wide range of academic, financial and economic researchers have been interpreting the data. At the WA State level, the Office of the Premier and Cabinet and the Treasury have been the main economic respondents to the pandemic.

Looking to the future post-virus, it is essential that Local, State and Federal Governments focus their funding on productive assets, meaning assets that must generate a market-related return on investment, stimulate employment and/or generate an equivalent increase in government tax revenue.

Given that this report is an initial review of the COVID-19 impact the intention is to provide broad-brush recommendations specific to the Pilbara region, which could then be taken up for in-depth assessment by the relevant agencies.

To read this report please click here.