Rio Tinto Coal Australia Pty : to fund $3 million development in Naturescape Kings Park

Rio Tinto will fund a $3 million development in the highly successful Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park, which attracts 80,000 visitors each year.

The funding will double the popular Paperbark Creek and include a rock pool for children to paddle in, as well as an aerial walkway that is almost 7 metres high, a hidden tunnel, more climbing and balancing features, a new cubby-building zone and additional teaching facilities.

Pictured: Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is a place for children to connect with nature and learn to appreciate the unique Western Australian environment

Rio Tinto vice president Health, Safety and Environment Zara Fisher said 'Rio Tinto has been a proud partner of this world-first natureplay initiative since the concept was first put forward in 2008.

'The aim of Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is to connect children with nature. The bush setting gives children the freedom to explore, discover and learn about nature which we hope inspires them to be the environmental custodians of tomorrow,' Ms Fisher said.

Since opening in 2011, Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park has attracted around 300,000 visitors. Dedicated education programmes are delivering unique experiences to up to 3,000 students per month.

Pictured: the stage 2 development will cost $3 million and is fully funded by Rio Tinto

By 2020, Rio Tinto will have contributed about $9 million to Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park making it one of the company's largest and longest running community partnerships in Western Australia.

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is one of over 100 community programs in Western Australia that Rio Tinto financially supported in 2016.

Pictured: Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park has established itself as a world leader in connecting children with nature

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park will be closed to the public from 1 February and re-open in early 2018. Education programs will continue to be presented to West Australian schools throughout 2017 via new venues and special programs.