A Rio Tinto plan worth more than $300million to expand the Pilbara town of Wickham, 60km east of Karratha, has won State Government approval.
Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett welcomed the project as an important investment by a major iron ore company in the future of the Pilbara and Western Australia.
"Rio Tinto's investment will see Wickham's population increase from about 2,000 to more than 2,600," Mr Barnett said.
"Wickham will house the workforce necessary for Rio Tinto to reach its goal of increasing annual iron ore export capacity through Cape Lambert Port from the current 80 million tonnes to a possible 183 million tonnes in 2015."
The Premier said the Wickham Town Expansion Phase 2 project, which would create a new Wickham South subdivision, included:
building 212 new dwellings for company use, on 174 lots
providing 25 residential lots for use by government agencies, other businesses and indigenous organisations and 35 additional lots for future use
installation of 198 new high quality motel-style Fly in Fly Out (FIFO) workforce accommodation units
construction of a new 1,600sqm town administration and training centre for both company and community use
development of two new public recreational parks, one in the new subdivision and a new central park located near Wickham's sporting precinct.
"Rio Tinto's commitment to Wickham will complement the Government's billion dollar Pilbara Cities initiative and help strengthen the Pilbara as a place to bring up families, with access to high standard services and facilities," Mr Barnett said.
"Last year the Government approved a $43million phase 1 project, which included upgrades to the town's wastewater and electricity infrastructure, and redevelopment of Wickham Lodge, providing accommodation and a high quality modern cafeteria for residents and FIFO employees, as well as a FIFO transit lounge, gymnasium and other facilities.
"Rio Tinto is in the final stages of completing a new $22million sport and recreation precinct with high standard sporting and leisure facilities, available for Wickham residents and teams from surrounding communities, and is revamping many of its existing houses.
"Construction activity and the increased population will generate new opportunities for non-mining businesses and services, not only in Wickham, but in other communities in the Shire of Roebourne."
Fact File
The Wickham Town Expansion Phase 2 project was approved under the Iron Ore (Robe River) Agreement Act 1964 (Robe Agreement), which is managed by the Department of State Development
Rio Tinto and the Shire of Roebourne jointly administer Wickham, which was established in 1970 to accommodate the Cape Lambert workforce
Rio Tinto is spending up to $18billion expanding its annual iron ore export capacity in the Pilbara from 220 million tonnes to a planned 353 million tonnes
Last year, iron ore producers contributed more than $3billion in royalty payments to the Western Australian Government
Premier and State Development Minister's office - 6552 5000
