Published on Tuesday, 25 May 2010 at 12:00:00 AM
A request by Rio Tinto to expand its Kirra Kulli accommodation camp, located five kms from Paraburdoo, has been rejected by Shire of Ashburton Councillors.
Rio Tinto put forward a proposal to build additional dongas at the camp, after it opted to extend the operational life of its Paraburdoo Iron Ore Mine by a further 20 years.
Paraburdoo is a small town in the Pilbara region located 1536km north-east of Perth. The town was purpose built in the 1960’s to house and service the miners employed by Rio Tino’s Hamersley Iron.
At Wednesday’s Council meeting, Councillors unanimously opposed the request which would see the existing 120 person construction worker accommodation facility more than triple in size to allow for a 400 man room camp. The proposed expansion would have made the area almost one third the size of the town.
Since the notion was first raised in 2006 it has been met with opposition by Shire of Ashburton Councilors, who say the proposal does not actively invest in the community and fulfil the long term sustainability of the town.
Shire of Ashburton Chief Executive Keith Pearson said the Shire was worried about the potential impact the expanded mine would have on those residents that did not work for the mine and said he did not believe an expanded camp with additional fly in fly out workers would be a good arrangement for the long term viability of the town.
Shire President Cr Greg Musgrave said construction camps had a regiment feel and were aesthetically displeasing.
“To constantly see construction camps with dongas laid out within the confines of a fence in close proximity to towns really needs to be reassessed.”
He called on Rio Tinto to lead the way and actively invest in setting up modern self contained villas within Paraburdoo which were conducive to normal living.
“Rio has made very little investment within the town and now the mine life has been extended by another 20 years....there are vacant allotments and other land available within the town itself, so why aren’t they using that.”
Cr Musgrave said it was unfair and inappropriate to expect the Shire and State Government to spend huge sums of money to improve the amenity and liveability of their towns if the resource sector was only interested in investing in initiatives that fostered FIFO.
Cr Musgrave said Council wanted to ensure Paraburdoo had a sustainable community and would call on the Minister for Regional Development Brendon Grylls to participate in a three way dialogue with the Shire, Rio Tinto and the State Government in an attempt to establish a long term strategic direction for the long term viability of Paraburdoo. Cr Musgrave has written to Premier Colin Barnett to support Council’s
Back to All News