Bell Bay
The aluminium smelter has played a key role in the development of Bell Bay as a major industrial centre. Development of the smelter in the 1950s saw an influx of families, and the associated development in housing and essential services as well as recreational and community facilities. Many of those who immigrated to Tasmania to work during construction and commissioning stages stayed on when the plant began production. Today, some of their children and grandchildren are employed by Rio Tinto Aluminium!
As a member of the community, we are very aware that our success depends in part, on our ability to work cooperatively with our neighbours. Bell Bay has a commitment to supporting Tasmania and its communities and to promoting activities directed towards an improved quality of life - economically, socially and environmentally.
The ultimate test of good corporate citizenship will be determined not by our words but by the community's assessment of our success in implementing and delivering on the principles of sustainable development.
The Bell Bay smelter maintains an extensive community relations program. Our Community Assistance Scheme provides financial and in-kind support for a range of community activities and events.
Community consultative committee
This year Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay established the Community Consultative Committee to provide an open forum to facilitate formal and regular dialogue with neighbouring communities of the Tamar Valley. Such a forum creates greater opportunity for direct feedback on all aspects of smelter performance and consultation on matters of mutual importance. Having a formal process means our policy and decision making processes will be better informed and our systems more responsive.
Community assistance programme
Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay's existing Community Assistance Programme (CAP) provides local community organisations, members and groups with funding to undertake a broad range of projects. A Steering Committee made up of eight employees from across the site assess each of the applications and meet to unanimously select the successful recipients. The CAP programme is advertised locally and on the Rio Tinto Aluminium website.
Application forms and eligibility criteria can be downloaded below.
Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay Community Grants Fund Application Form
Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay Community Grants Fund Eligibility Criteria
Partnerships
Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay has invested in three key strategic partnerships with local organisations. These partnerships are an important part of Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay's community engagement programme.
Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
The Queens Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) is the largest museum and art gallery in Australia located outside a capital city. It enjoys an enviable reputation and national profile for its collections of Australian colonial art, contemporary craft and design, Tasmanian history and natural sciences. Together, Rio Tinto Aluminium and QVMAG are working to provide Tasmanians with a hands-on science centre to further education and knowledge of science. Under the partnership, QVMAG has also taken possession of Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay's collection of memorabilia and historic items for preservation and archiving.
Hand in hand
Hand in hand is an education-based partnership between Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay and local schools within the region. Examples of initiatives implemented under the partnership include the purchase of the LEXIA interactive ICT programme to aid reading and learning skills for primary aged students and the smelter's participation in the "Bridges Programme" at Port Dalrymple School. The partnership has also funded Careers Camps, a health and fitness expo and assisted in the delivery of a range of curriculum activities.
Tasmanian shorebirds
Last year Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay commissioned Birds Australia to undertake a research project to review the threats and management needs of Tasmanian shorebirds. We initially partnered with the Tasmanian Conservation Trust to create greater community awareness about the threats to these important bird species, particularly the risks posed by human activities on our beaches. Two of Rio Tinto's community partners, Birds Australia and Conservation Volunteers Australia have joined with Rio Tinto Aluminium Bell Bay to assess the potential for an expanded partnership. The parties are working together to develop a pilot project guided by the Birds Australia research.