Residents oppose Roebourne Shire street number policy

Residents in the Shire of Roebourne have put up a fight against the Shire's new street numbering policy.

Parts of Dampier, Bulgarra and Point Samson will receive new street numbers as part of changes that will bring the older suburbs in line with Australian standards.

Bulgarra resident Jason Scott said after living in Karratha for 26 years, he did not want his house number changed.

His concerns have been echoed by more than 300 others who have signed an online petition he started opposing the change.

"Locals feel they're losing history," Mr Scott said.

"It's the belief of a large number of residents that this system is only being pushed through because of the infill in Bulgarra.

"If they had taken it to a vote, more people would have had a say in the decision."

Mr Scott said he would take his petition and submit it to the Shire office in the hope councillors would consider residents' arguments.

Shire of Roebourne chief executive Chris Adams apologised for the short notice residents were given of the changes.

"We understand this has come about quickly and apologise for the inconvenience to residents who weren't aware of the upcoming changes," he said.

"Obviously these details came at quite short notice; however, there will be a natural grace period throughout the transition where mail will be delivered to both addresses."

Mr Adams said while the original council report had been published on the Shire's website last year, Christmas holidays and cyclone Christine may have caused the notice to be missed by some residents.

"We understand the new system may cause some short-term pain with residents but it will ultimately be for long-term gain," he said.

"The system will provide ordered and efficient numbering that's standard for suburban areas across Australia and will make it much easier for visitors and service providers to identify properties."

Department of Fire and Emergency Services acting district superintendent John Winton said the system would improve response times for emergency services.

"Emergency response is measured in minutes and seconds, and anything we can do to improve our response time could be the difference between life and death," he said.

"A standard and orderly progression of numbers is considered the norm around Australia and the rest of the Shire, and means our emergency crews will be able to quickly and easily orientate themselves when trying to find a property."