Published on Tuesday, 22 June 2010 at 12:00:00 AM
The Shire of Ashburton has held discussions with Rio Tinto, after Council failed to support a proposal put forward by the mining company to increase worker accommodation at Rio Tinto’s Kirra Kulli camp near Paraburdoo.
The proposal would have seen the existing short-term 120-person construction worker accommodation facility more than triple in size to allow for a 400-man operational camp with a life of 20 years.
Shire President Cr Greg Musgrave said by Rio Tinto extending the operational life of its existing accommodation it suggested that the mine near Paraburdoo had a significant life and therefore the township had a future.
“Our current Strategic Plan outlines a number of objectives to ensure the economic base of our towns including Paraburdoo are a vibrant, prosperous place for work leisure and living.”
He said it was unfair to expect the Shire and State Government to spend huge sums of money to improve the amenity and liveability of towns if the resource sector was only interested in investing in initiatives to foster fly in, fly out workers.
“Everyone including the State Government has to work out how to assimilate FIFO and recognise any opportunities that may come from that, rather than turning to regimental style villages that sit outside communities.
Rio was very positive and it understood that there is a need to ensure partnerships are strong.”
He said meetings with the Minister for Regional Development Brendon Grylls, the State Government and Rio Tinto had been planned.
He said operational services in the town were another area that the Shire would actively invest in.
“It’s all very well to have a strategic vision but it’s equally important to keep our oval green, to keep the cows out of town and to maintain our parks and gardens.”
Cr Musgrave said the Shire had recently engaged with a business consultant to look at ways of effectively servicing all communities.
“Should it prove that existing staff and management levels need improving to better service Paraburdoo, strategies will be adopted to fix any deficiencies.
I want to move forward and look at ways of improving the town for the locals that call Para home. “
Shire President Greg Musgrave wants to refrain from this type of accomodation in the Shire
MEDIA CONTACTS
Shire of Ashburton President Greg Musgrave
Mobile - 0417 080 037
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