City of Busselton and Rio Tinto partnership renewed for another three years

The City of Busselton and Rio Tinto have re-signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which cements their partnership for another three years. Key objectives of the MOU focus on delivering family and youth services, community health and wellness programs, expanding employment and training opportunities and contributing to regional economic stability. “Over the past 16 years, Rio Tinto’s regional employment and spending program has returned great benefit to the local economy,” Busselton mayor Grant Henley said. “Along with the economic returns associated with Rio Tinto spending and the spending of its workforce, Rio Tinto has supported local arts including partnering with major events like Ironman and CinefestOZ.” Rio Tinto has been partnering with the City to support the youth services program for more than a decade. The current agreement saw the company double its financial contribution to $80,000 a year. The additional funding has allowed new programs to be introduced and has helped activate the Busselton and Dunsborough Youth Precincts. “We value our partnership with the City of Busselton and are proud to be renewing this MOU,” general manager of Hope Downs Rio Tinto, Nathan Jacobs said. “Rio Tinto launched its regional FIFO operations from Busseltonin 2007 with 80 employees “Today the region is home to our largest regional FIFO workforce with close to 1400 employees or around 37 per cent of the company’s regional workforce. “We look forward to working with the City to support social and economic growth in this great community,” Mr Jacobs said.