Community Investment
At Karara we understand that to be a successful Mid West mining company we must also be a valued member of the community. We aim to build positive relationships with communities where we operate that are based on open communication, trust and respect. We also recognise that special factors are involved when our operations could impinge upon Indigenous communities. We understand the importance of identifying and working with those who have longstanding cultural and spiritual connections to land and waters.
With a long-life operation in the region, we believe that the success of Karara is linked with the enduring strength of our community connections and relationships. Identifying and supporting opportunities to create/deliver sustainable business and job development, effective collaboration and meaningful partnerships in the Mid West is a core commitment at Karara.
More than 1,680 business were involved in the construction and development of Karara; nearly 20% were local businesses, with a local economic contribution of AUD $350 million and AUD $2.15 billion spent nationally – mostly in Western .
In its operational phase Karara continues to be a key contributor to regional and State and National economies providing more than 950 permanent jobs (direct employees and Contractors), 20% of which are held by people that reside in the Mid West and spending over $104 million on local goods and services between 2013 and the 2019. Over the life of the mine, Karara’s operations are predicted to contribute $ 1.8B in royalties and $ 100M in payroll taxes.
Our ongoing social investment is focused on supporting key areas of community need identified in consultation with local Shires and community interest groups:
- Health
- Education
- Youth development
Our approach is to foster effective relationships with organisations, community groups and agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Karara has taken the stance that we would like to partner with community groups by giving a “leg up” and not a “hand out”. We partner with groups that are also helping to support their initiative.
In the first 10 years of operations. Karara has donated and sponsored in excess of $4 million to groups within the Mid West region of WA (Perenjori, Morawa, Mingenew, Three Springs and the greater Geraldton area).
Karara continues to provide significant levels of funding annually for targeted community programs and initiatives.
The Community Farm was developed in 2011 on 600 acres of company-owned land. The Farm is an agricultural resource made available to the community to use and to generate profits on a “user-pays/user benefits” basis. This provides an alternative means of fundraising to traditional donations and sponsorships and allows community groups to work together in a grain-growing enterprise, on Karara-provided land, to achieve positive outcomes for the community.
Applications to use the Community Farm are submitted annually by community . The right to use the Farm each season is awarded by Karara after careful review of the merit and potential community benefit/impacts in each application. This innovative community partnership approach to fundraising has so far generated $645,000 in funding for community projects.
Funds raised are seasonally dependent and distributed to areas where obtaining funding is otherwise difficult. Past beneficiaries are shown below.
| Year | Community Group | Crop | Community Outcomes |
| 2011 | Morawa Winter Sports Group | Wheat | $90,000 – improve sporting facilities. |
| 2012 | Morawa Football Club & Morawa Netball Club | Wheat | $68,000 – upgrade lighting for night fixtures. |
| 2013 | Morawa Golf Club & Morawa Bowling Club | Wheat | $98,000 – install renewable energy solar system. |
| 2014 | Morawa District High School & Morawa Agricultural College | Wheat | $78,000 – upgrade boarding facilities/dormitories. |
| 2015 | Morawa Winter Sports Group | Wheat | $84,000 – improve sporting facilities. |
| 2016 | Morawa Bowling Club | Wheat | $117,000 – improve green and facilities. |
| 2018 | Morawa Netball Club | Wheat | $110,000 – upgrade court and shed facilities |
Karara’s flagship community initiative was developed in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and provides a state-of-the-art Mobile Dental Clinic in a customised and fully equipped/air-conditioned dental van. The van was purchased and equipped by Karara and is operated by the RFDS. Karara maintains the dental van and its equipment, relocates it between towns and fly’s the RFDS dentists and dental assistants into the region.
The clinic has been operating across the Shires of Morawa, Perenjori and Mingenew in the Mid West, bringing much needed dental services to these communities. More than 2,300 patient consultations have been conducted since the service was established, providing diagnostic, preventative, restorative, general and oral surgery services.
The service is free to patients, many of whom do not have the capacity to travel and pay for dental services in distant towns and has resulted in a strong improvement in dental health.
Karara Mining is proud to partner with the RFDS to bring essential dental healthcare services to the people of Perenjori, Mingenew and Morawa. Our financial contribution the dental service as of the end of 2019 is in excess of $1.3.
Wendy’s Story
Parkerville provides critical care, support and treatment services for children who have suffered trauma and abuse in Geraldton and surrounding areas. It is one of the oldest non-government organisations in the state dedicated to providing care and protection to children and young people in need. Karara is proud to support this critical service in the Mid West . Karara provides support of $100,000 each year toward the facility’s annual operating costs.
Karara Mining also has a long history of sponsoring local community events such as the Perenjori Agriculture Show, the Mingenew Expo, the Mid Morawa Arts Award.
Perenjori Agriculture Show
Karara’s operation are located in the Perenjori Shire. Each year the Perenjori community have an Agriculture show, which is based around agricultural events, youth entertainment and interaction activities. Karara has supported this event since 2009 sponsoring the fireworks display. Our sponsorship provides a strong link to the community.
Mingenew Expo
Mingenew Expo is the largest rural event in the Midwest. It is a two day agricultural field event attended by over 10,000 people each year. Karara has maintained a presence at the Expo to promote the Project and to be able to answer any questions from the local community.
Mid West Junior Sports Person Award
During our community engagement it was highlighted to us the important role that sport plays in the social fabric of communities in which we operate. Noting that there are too many sporting clubs in the region to equitably sponsor all and with our focus on youth development we decided to sponsor the Midwest Junior Sports Person Award. This Award is presented each year as part of the Mid West Sports Award night and Karara is proud to have been associated with this event since 2009. Some past winners of the Junior Sports Person Award have gone on to have promising professional sporting careers including
Morawa Arts Awards
This major regional event occurs every two years and seeks to bring together the regional artistic community. It provides an opportunity for both local and regional artists and community members to engage in and appreciate arts and culture. This event encourages and fosters artistic skill development and creative exploration through a range of competitive categories and it supports talents amongst the Indigenous and youth of the Mid West region.
KML has sponsored this event over the last 10 years. Karara has also purchased local indigenous art work from the event which is on proud display in the Head Office Board Room.
2016 Shire of Morawa Acquisitive Art Award Winner – “Australian Song 2” by Leesa Padget.
2018 Shire of Morawa Acquisitive Art Award Winner – “Everlastings” by Loretta Egan.