Baseline Community Assessment

Rio Tinto Iron Ore, in partnership with Pilbara Development Commission and the North West Shelf Venture, is undertaking a study to look at the social and economic dynamics of towns and communities in the Shires of Ashburton and Roebourne.

In particular, the study will focus on Tom Price, Wakuthuni, Ballary Springs, Paraburdoo, Pannawonica, Karratha, Dampier, Wickham, Roebourne and Cheeditha.

The Baseline Community Assessment aims to collect information to help provide a foundation for future planning in Pilbara towns. For the study to be effective and of value to our community, it needs the support of people in these communities.

The study will be conducted by independent consultants URS Australia Pty Ltd who will collect information. Selected members from across the community including government and industry as well as the general public, will be contacted to obtain local views either via telephone or in face-to-face interviews.

If you are living in one of these communities, you may be contacted to participate in one of the interviews. These will not take much of your time and the information provided will provide valuable insights into Pilbara life. Rio Tinto Iron Ore would greatly appreciate your participation and help in the study should you be asked to contribute.

The Baseline Community Assessment project will be conducted over the latter half of 2007 and key findings will be communicated at the end of the process.

We hope you will support the Baseline Community Assessment and look forward to sharing/using these results to help shape and plan for our community's future.

Contact details for the Baseline Community Assessment project (Australia only):

• Don Burnside, URS Australia Pty Ltd, Perth - (08) 9326 -0156
• Dani Nazzari, Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Dampier - (08) 9143 5091