BHP Billiton will contribute $5 million, matching the state government's commitment, towards a fund to help the towns of Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun, nine months after it shut down its nickel operation.
The announcement is below:
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls has welcomed the announcement to establish the independent Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun Future Fund.
Mr Grylls said Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation, a subsidiary of BHP Billiton, would contribute a one off payment of $5million to establish the future fund, matching the $5million contribution the State Government has already made to the region.
"The aim of the fund is to support the local Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun community to undertake improvements for the benefit of local people," he said.
The announcement of the fund follows a recommendation from the John Curtin Institute of Public Policy 'Housing Study for Hopetoun (May 2009)'.
The recommendation was to give communities control over their own destiny through growth and distribution of endowed funds and community leadership development.
"It has been a collaborative effort between the Shire of Ravensthorpe, Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations and the local community to establish the fund and to build on future needs of the region," the Minister said.
"The fund will be administered by a Board of Governors and focus on the region's future development."
The board will comprise an independent chairperson; two nominations from the Shire of Ravensthorpe; and two local community representatives, who normally reside in the Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun area via a nomination process administered by the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission.
"When the announcement of suspension of operations at the mine site came in January this year, the Government gave an undertaking we would not abandon the people of Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun," Mr Grylls said.
"The Government immediately committed $5million to an initial assistance package, and appointed respected local advisor Tony Bright to assist the Shire of Ravensthorpe to maintain local services and to provide grant assistance to local businesses.
"The announcement of the Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun Future Fund today is another step forward in securing the future and confidence of those who are committed to living, recreating and investing in the region."
