Chamber joins push to make Karratha a city

The Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce and Industry has thrown its support behind the push to make Karratha a city.

Results of a KDCCI survey, revealed last week, indicated 68 per cent of members supported Karratha achieving city status.

President Robin Vandenberg said city status would give local government more political influence in Canberra as well as on a world stage.

"At the Pilbara Pulse economic summit we will be playing host to quite a few dignitaries," he said.

"I think if we were doing that as a city we would be getting a better response than as the Shire of Roebourne," he said.

The Shire conducted preliminary consultations with the public about the move to become a city earlier this year through a phone survey. The early Shire survey indicated public conflict over the new city's name.

Residents of Roebourne, Wickham, Dampier, and Point Samson were unhappy at being included in the City of Karratha title.

A majority of 75 per cent of KDCCI members voted for the city to be called Karratha.

"To be honest, people don't identify with the Shire of Roebourne," Mr Vandenberg said.

"Karratha is the town that's got the biggest population and our business and commercial centre."

Roebourne Shire Council resolved at its September meeting to undertake further consultation in the form of a call for public submissions and targeted consultation with indigenous groups, community associations and business groups.