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Town of Port Hedland Council

The Town of Port Hedland is a statutory entity constituted under the Local Government Act 1995 to provide services and facilities to a broad range of stakeholders including residents, commercial and retail business, workers and local, national and international visitors.

Newly Elected Members were sworn in at a Special Council Meeting on Monday 23 October 2023. 

Mayor

Peter Carter

Peter was first elected to the Town of Port Hedland Council in 2017. In October 2020 he was elected Mayor. Originally from regional Victoria, Peter lived in Perth for 20 years before relocating to the Pilbara. He has lived in Port Hedland for the last 15 years. Peter is passionate about business and economic development, having owned his own photography businesses both in Perth and the Pilbara. His passion for business led him to taking up the role of President of the Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Peter is passionate about improving the liveability of Hedland to support the continued economic growth of the Town. In his role as Mayor, he is committed to advocating to both State and Federal Government for adequate funding and resources to address the Town’s key issues.

    Deputy Mayor

    Ash Christensen 

    Ash was born and raised in the Pilbara and attended South Hedland Primary and Hedland Senior High School. Ash makes no secret of the fact he’s a passionate sportsperson and spends a lot of his time with community and sporting groups in this sector. He believes that sports provides an amazing opportunity for Hedland youth, both through personal development while also providing invaluable life experience. Ash has also become passionate about road safety and supporting the State Government to improve community safety. Ash is committed to leaving a positive legacy and ensuring Hedland benefits from increased economic activity long into the future. Specific actions he’d like to see taken are on liveability improvements to attract people to Hedland, and advocating State and Federal Government to address areas that impact on liveability, such as housing, childcare and education.

    Councillor

    Laveni 'Flo' Bennett

    Flo Bennett was elected to the Town of Port Hedland Council in October 2021. Flo arrived in Port Hedland at the age of seven, when her parents relocated. Flo spent many years volunteering at sporting clubs and owned her own business, before joining BHP as a training specialist. Youth engagement and community safety are her areas of passion, alongside improving Hedland so that more people want to join the community, and those that are here already want to stay.

      Councillor

      Tim Turner

      Tim Turner was first elected to the Town of Port Hedland Council in October 2020. He served as Deputy Mayor from 2021, until October 2023.

      Tim has a long history of work in community development with roles that have taken him to the Soloman Islands and Nauru. He has also worked in various roles for the Department of Communities, including in child protection in remote communities, indigenous employment and as Regional Director for the Pilbara for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. In 2012 Tim was nominated for Australian of the Year for his work with young people – work which also led him to being awarded the inaugural Non-Indigenous Person of the Year award at Port Hedland's 2011 NAIDOC ceremony.

      Nowadays Tim works with Royal Life Saving WA as the Senior Manager for Regional Development. He is also well known in the community as the head instructor for Hedland Taekwondo.

      Councillor

      Ambika Rebello

      Ambika Rebello moved to Australia from India along with her husband a decade ago. Port Hedland has been their home since 2018. They are blessed with two children who attend the local Catholic school. Ambika was motivated to run for the Town of Port Hedland Council in 2023 after being an engaged community member volunteering with sporting clubs and serving on the board of St Cecilia’s Parents and Friends Association. She is family focused and passionate about creating opportunities for children and youth in town. She is equally committed to address issues surrounding housing affordability, community safety, childcare services and hopes to improve liveability for families. Ambika has a background in business management and more than a decade of corporate experience. She is driven to offer her skills and experience to social services, to make a positive impact, and to make Hedland more liveable, safe and inclusive.

        Councillor

        Sven Arentz

        Sven has been in Port Hedland for more than three decades. As a fitter/machinist, Sven understands the value of hard work. After school Sven took on an apprenticeship at Robil Engineering and later joined FMG as a Mechanical Technical Officer at its Anderson Point site, earning a Cert 4 in Mechanical Engineering. He is now pursuring a career in Mechanical Engineering and is a self-described family man with a wife and two-year-old son, which has only increased his passion for the Hedland community and ensuring a positive future for his family. Sven has been actively involved in numerous sports clubs in Hedland, which he believes is a crucial element for strengthening community bonds. This includes T-ball, baseball, AFL, cricket and boxing.

        Councillor

        Camilo Blanco

        Camilo has lived in Port Hedland his entire life.  He attended both primary and high school in South Hedland and completed his apprenticeship at BP South Hedland.  In 2001, he started his own business and launched the successful Hedland Automotive.  He was elected to council in the position of Deputy Mayor in 2015 and was re-elected in November 2016, as the Mayor of Port Hedland. Camillo ran for Council again in 2023 with a focus on wanting to improve the community’s understanding of Council operations and decision-making. He is a strong advocate for social and community issues and passionate about unlocking the full potential of his hometown.

          Councillor

          Lorraine Butson

          Lorraine was first elected to Council in 2013 and served until January 2016. Lorraine was motivated to serve another term on Council with a focus on supporting the positive efforts of community groups and programs. With a long career in health, and more than 50 years living in Hedland, Lorraine is passionate about lifting the liveability of Hedland.

          Councillor

          Adrian McRae

           

          Adrian McRae was elected to the Town of Port Hedland Council in March of 2024. The son of a fourth-generation farmer & grazier family, Adrian has lived and owned a business in Hedland for 15 years. Founder of the GBTK Group of companies, Adrian understands the issues and concerns for Hedland residents and local businesses. Experienced in hosting large international charity events and conferences, Adrian is passionate about social issues; both local & abroad. Adrian advocates strongly for improved community safety & liveability in Port Hedland.

          External Group Representation

          Elected Member External Groups Representation Information Statement is available here.