Submission

Submission to Inquiry into the use of ‘fly-in, fly-out’ (FIFO) workforce practices in regional Australia

Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia
Publisher
Regional planning Labour mobility Economic development Airports Commuting Fly-in fly-out workers Busselton
Resources
Attachment Size
download linkapo-nid89291.pdf 899.62 KB
Description

The Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry represents some 500 businesses in the Busselton region, which is located 230 kilometres south of Perth. We have a limited direct involvement in the resources industry but a substantial interest in Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO). It is estimated that approximately 5,000 employees, who are employed on a FIFO basis, are resident within 100 kilometres of Busselton. The vast majority of these employees travel to Perth and fly from there to various mining destinations within Australia and overseas. However, in 2007 an opportunity was identified, through the Chamber, to utilize the Busselton Regional Airport as a departure and arrival point for FIFO employees. This opportunity was negotiated with Rio Tinto, in particular, and in November 2007 a FIFO service commenced from Busselton directly to and from various minesites in the Pilbara, such that Busselton is now the second biggest FIFO airport in WA. This will be further enhanced as the airport continues to be developed and effectively managed. Hence, although we are some 1500 kilometres away from the Pilbara mining operations we are able to participate through the provision of a direct FIFO service. Other companies are expressing interest in developing a similar operation, which will enhance the growth of our FIFO employee base and ultimately generate additional employment prospects in the Busselton region. Busselton has recently determined to move to city status as the regional population has grown.

Publication Details
Source title:
House Standing Committee on Regional Australia - Inquiry into the use of ‘fly-in, fly-out’ (FIFO) workforce practices in regional Australia
Access Rights Type:
open