Published on Tuesday, 20 April 2021 at 8:51:32 AM
Construction of the new Tom Price Childcare Centre and new Emergency Services Precinct formally commenced this week with a ‘breaking ground’ ceremony on Monday 19 April.
Attended by Minister for Emergency Services, Hon. Reece Whitby, FES Commissioner Darren Klemm, RDA Pilbara CEO Tony Simpson, Rio Tinto MC Pilbara Mines, Matt Holcz, along with Shire of Ashburton Councillors and Leadership Team, the ceremony celebrated the progression of key community projects for Tom Price.
Shire of Ashburton President Kerry White said that she was pleased the highly anticipated projects were underway and that the Tom Price community would start to see both developments come to fruition in the coming months.
“Tom Price Childcare Centre will provide much needed additional spaces for daycare, after school care and vacation care and will provide the children attending with a modern, built for purpose facility”, acknowledged Councillor White.
“The Shire has been working with funding partner Rio Tinto to actualise this $6.75M project for a number of years that will enhance the liveability of our town.
“I am delighted that this facility will be available to Tom Price families from early next year under the operation of Little Geckos, who have been providing childcare services in Tom Price for over 30 years.
“In tandem, we are also progressing the $4M Emergency Services Precinct that is adjacent to the childcare centre.
“The Precinct will combine the Shire’s major emergency services of the Bush Fire Brigade and State Emergency Services (SES) in one accessible location.
“With funding contributions from DFES and Rio Tinto, along with a contribution from the Shire of Ashburton, the importance of community health and wellbeing is demonstrated with the establishment of this combined, fit-for-purpose facility.
“Our community lives in a remote part of the Pilbara often subject to adverse weather conditions and threat of bushfire and flooding emergencies, coupled with approximately 330,000 visitors per year to nearby Karijini National Park, this precinct is of high value to the community and those who visit our region.
“Our volunteer teams do a fantastic job in assisting with community safety and providing assuredness and will be able to continue to do so in an efficient and cohesive manner from the new precinct.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore managing director of Pilbara Mines, Matthew Holcz said that Rio Tinto is proud to partner with the Shire of Ashburton to support the construction of the Tom Price Childcare Centre and Tom Price Emergency Service Facility.
“These two new facilities form part of our continued investment in Tom Price and will provide essential services for the local community in which we live and work.
“Our shared vision and commitment to Tom Price through the Community Infrastructure and Services Partnership (CISP) is a source of great pride and we look forward to continuing our work together to further enhance facilities in the town.
DFES Superintendent Pilbara, Peter McCarthy said, “the Tom Price BFB and SES volunteers deliver essential services to this remote part of the Pilbara region.”
“This facility is a product of many years of planning and hard work by the volunteers and will provide them with a modern, functional building to support their training, response and incident control and coordination needs for many years.”
“It will also act as a drew card for community members who may be interested in becoming new volunteers with the Tom Price emergency services.”
Pictured L-R: Peter Foster, MLC-Elect for Mining & Pastoral Region; Sue Davis, Unit Manager Tom Price, State Emergency Service Unit; Councillor Matthew Lynch, Shire of Ashburton; Matt Holcz, Rio Tinto, MD Pilbara Mines; Hon. Reece Whitby, Minister for Emergency Services; Councillor Doug Diver, Shire of Ashburton, Wayne Hatton, Captain Tom Price Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, Darren Klemm, FES Commissioner.
For media information contact:
Alison Lennon - Manager Media and Communications, Shire of Ashburton
M: 0409 314 140 | E: [email protected]
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