Geraldton’s WesTrac to help Rio Tinto do heavy lifting with deal to service Pilbara dozers

Geraldton is at the centre of a push to decentralise the WA resource sector’s heavy machinery repair business, with Rio Tinto to bring dozers from its Pilbara iron ore mines to the Mid West for rebuilds. The move, negotiated by the State Government and Mid West Development Commission, is set to bring up to $61 million in spending, hundreds of new jobs and $12m in wages to the region. Under the deal, Geraldton’s WesTrac facility will undertake up to 12 dozer rebuilds a year from Rio’s operations, with the miner committing to 54 machine repairs between now and 2025. Rio core services managing director Richard Cohen said decentralising the sector would lower costs, improve productivity and reduce the risk of driving-related incidents on congested metropolitan roads. Geraldton MP Lara Dalton MLA said it would also build on Geraldton’s capacity as a regional hub for the mining and construction sectors. MWDC acting chief executive Anne Finlay said up to 329 jobs would be created. “We are very proud to have played a role in activating this initiative and look forward to seeing a number of positive regional development outcomes achieved,” Ms Finlay said. Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the deal was part of a pilot project the Government hoped to roll out across regional WA — including the Kimberly and Goldfields — to bring jobs and create training opportunities. “This is a fantastic initiative that will see more work carried out in our regional centres, rather than shifting to Perth,” she said. “Developing capability in mining services will help to diversify and grow Geraldton’s economy, providing long-term jobs for local people.” WesTrac, owned by Seven Group Holdings, is the authorised Caterpillar deal for WA, NSW and the ACT. SGH is also majority shareholder in Seven West Media, publisher of The West Australian and thewest.com.au