Experienced industry liaison Reg Howard-Smith has been appointed as the inaugural chair of the state government’s Resources Community Investment Initiative Advisory Committee.
Experienced industry liaison Reg Howard-Smith has been appointed inaugural chair of the state government’s Resources Community Investment Initiative Advisory Committee.
The committee was launched in November last year to generate investment for infrastructure and community projects from the state's leading resources industry players.
Mining, oil and gas gaints Rio Tinto, BHP, Hancock Prospecting, Woodside, Chevron, Mineral Resources, Roy Hill and Atlas Iron have collectively contributed $750 million to the fund.
The investment will go towards an initial pipeline of projects, such as the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Perth Zoo Master Plan and the Perth Concert Hall redevelopment among others.
The state government also announced the launch of the expression of interest process which will allow the contributing companies to indicate which projects they would like to put their names down for.
The resources companies will also be able to pitch projects for consideration that would have a lasting social and economic impact on the region of choice.
To oversee the EOI process, an advisory committee has been established which includes Mr Howard-Smith, Chamber of Minerals and Energy chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson and senior representatives from government agencies.
Mr Howard-Smith has worked with BHP and Woodside and has held several advocacy positions in both Perth and Victoria.
He was the chief executive of the Chamber of Minerals & Energy for more than a decade, and prior to his top role he was previously a director for five years.
Mr Howard-Smith is currently the chair of the Construction Training Fund, and he was previously the chair of the Waste Authority of Western Australia
Premier Mark McGowan said the initiative built on the state's ongoing collaboration with WA's resources industry.
He said it also provided a mechanism to partner on the delivery of projects that have lasting benefits for the community.
"I welcome Reg Howard-Smith's appointment as the inaugural chair of the RCII advisory committee - his extensive experience in both the resources industry and working with government will help to ensure this initiative is a success,” Mr McGowan said.
"The expression of interest process launched today gets the ball rolling on negotiations with the sector to match contributions to the iconic RCII projects as well as projects that will provide long-term social and economic benefits in the communities that resources companies operate in.
"I am confident that other WA resources companies will join this worthwhile initiative.”
