The Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund has received a major boost from the major miner.
The donation will support relief and recovery efforts for the communities left devastated by the catastrophic flooding event generated by former tropical cyclone Ellie.
Rio said it will also match employee donations to the fund dollar-for-dollar.
“With our strong connection with the Kimberley region, we want to help those suffering from the worst floods in Western Australian history,” Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said.
“For more than 50 years our people have been helping to build thriving and resilient communities across Western Australia.
“Rio Tinto employees will be devastated for the people and communities in the Kimberley region and we will also be matching their donations.
“We are also working with our community partners and stakeholders in the Kimberley to see what further assistance we can provide to make a positive contribution on the ground.”
Rio has been part of the Kimberley region for over 40 years, with the Argyle diamond mine operating from 1983 to 2020.
The company also operates the West Kimberley fly-in, fly-out program in the region, which has been running for over 15 years.
WA Premier Mark McGowan has warned that recovery efforts will “take some time” after what he describes as the worst floods the state has ever seen.
The flood waters have left towns and communities isolated.
“My government is committed to providing whatever support we can, in partnership with the WA Government, but also local government, working with communities to make sure the rebuilding occurs as quickly as possible,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
Albanese said this would include assistance with temporary living expenses, $10,000 grants for housing replacements and repairs, and $10,000 for replacing essential items.
People left out of work because of the disaster in Victoria Daly, Broome, Derby West Kimberley, Halls Creek and Wyndham East Kimberley are now also eligible for the disaster recovery allowance.