Rio Tinto to invest $100 million in housing for public sector workers in Pilbara

The investment will support the construction of more than 500 homes under the Western Australian Government’s Government Regional Officers’ Housing (GROH) program. Within the scope of the project, new housing will be built particularly in Karratha, while the company’s fly-in fly-out (FIFO) hub locations of Broome, Geraldton, and Albany will also benefit.

Rio Tinto’s contribution to the program represents the largest support provided by the private sector and also includes the construction of new homes in communities such as Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo, and Roebourne, which are central to the company’s operations in the Pilbara region. These homes will be allocated to public sector employees working in these areas.

The Western Australian Government will undertake the construction of new homes in Pilbara, aiming to meet housing demand under the program through 2030.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore CEO Matthew Holcz stated that the company has strong ties to the region, directly supports six communities in Pilbara, and contributes economically to six different communities from Kimberley to Great Southern through its FIFO program. Holcz emphasized that teachers, police officers, and other public service workers play a critical role in the sustainability of regional communities, highlighting the importance of providing adequate housing infrastructure to enable them to work in these areas.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook noted that cities such as Karratha and Port Hedland form the backbone of the state’s economy and will continue to do so in the future. He stated that these cities will become key hubs for renewable energy and industrial production, adding that strengthening economic infrastructure and public services is essential to support large-scale employment projects in the region.

Cook also emphasized that the government’s “Seven Cities” vision begins with housing investments and aims to ensure the availability of the workforce required for the sustainability of public services. He also thanked BHP and Hancock Prospecting, along with Rio Tinto, for their contributions to the program.

The investment forms part of Rio Tinto’s total AUD 250 million commitment under the Resources Community Investment Initiative (RCII) carried out in cooperation with the Western Australian Government. This project represents the company’s second investment under the RCII framework, following its earlier contribution to the redevelopment of the Paraburdoo hospital.