The original Shire Crest was bordered with the Sturt Pea. When the Shire was renamed to Ashburton the Council changed the design of its Crest by replacing the Sturt Pea with the Ashburton Pea, which is native to the Ashburton Area. The FE symbol represents iron, which is mined in Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica. The cattle and sheep represent the stations and pastoral land located within the Shire. The railway represents the expansion of the land due to the iron ore industry and the ship is recognisant of the bulk carriers that transport the iron ore to overseas markets. The fish represent the fishing industry and the fish depicted are mullet for which the Aboriginal word is "Pilbara".