ACICC

Rio Tinto Coal Australia ceased operating the Tarong Mine on Thursday 31 January 2008.

The Queensland Government has purchased the Tarong Mine and the Kunioon Deposit through the Government owned Tarong Energy Corporation (TEC).

TEC assumed operational control of the Tarong Mine, through Thiess Pty Ltd, on Friday 1 February 2008.

The changeover ends 24 years of reliable mining with environmental care by Rio Tinto Coal Australia in the region. Rio Tinto Coal Australia is proud to leave this legacy to the South Burnett, and offers its best wishes to the new owners and operators.

Prior to the sale of Tarong Mine, Rio Tinto Coal Australia had an extremely rewarding and productive relationship with the area's traditional owners, the Wakka Wakka People. Part of the formal Agreement that underpinned that relationship ensured that all South Burnett Aboriginal people - not just the Traditional Owners - had access to project resources. Notably, the agreement Rio Tinto Coal Australia made with the Wakka Wakka people was the first of its kind made by the company.

As a result of the Agreement, RTCA established the Aboriginal Community Interest Consultative Committee (ACICC) to administer funding for development projects aimed at building capacity in the local aboriginal community.

Until the end of 2007, the Board had approved around 50 projects for funding to a total of more than half a million dollars.

Projects funded in 2007 included

Helping Indigenous children achieve their potential
St Joseph's Parish School $12,000

Indigenous learning centre, supporting leadership programs
Wondai State School $7,750

Indigenous rugby league participation
South Burnett Rugby League $13,000

Big brother - little brother
Warren Cobbo, Ken Gyemore, $1100

Inaugural Qld Golf Championships
Murgon Golf Club $2000

Cherbourg Junior Rugby League $10,000

NAIDOC Week celebrations
Cherbourg Shire Council $7000

Golden Oldies celebrations
Cherbourg Shire Council $7000

Strong and Proud - looking forward to the future
Nanango State School $43,500

2nd Indigenous leadership Forum 2007
Bunya Wakka Wakka C&H Corp $10,000

Indigenous reading resources
Tingoora State School $1000

Artefact workshop
Uncle Simon Leedie $14,000

Cherbourg Christmas Carnival
BWW C&H Corp $2000

Annexe and Outreach Program
YACCA $12,000

St Joseph's learning centre
St Joseph's Parish School $6000

Cherbourg junior cricket outfitting and expenses
Cherbourg Shire Council $4000

Bushrangers Indigenous Rugby League support
SB Rugby League $15,000

Holiday sports program
CTC $30,000

Maidenwell property development
BWW C&H Corp $65,000