Northern Star Resources has cleared a planning hurdle over its $65 million accommodation for workers at its Kalgoorlie mines.
Northern Star Resources has cleared a planning hurdle over its $65 million accommodation for workers at its Kalgoorlie mines.
A development assessment panel’s approval today comes after members deferred the 800-bed camp proposal in May.
At its meeting today, three out of five panel members voted to approve the Subiaco miner’s application to build a development in Mulligar, in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Northern Star proposed to build 200 four-room transportable cabins to house 800 workers at its Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, which includes the Super Pit.
In May, the DAP deferred consideration of the project for up to 90 days to give the applicant time to respond to concerns raised by the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder council.
The council was previously concerned over the applicant’s bushfire plan being insufficient, the 10-year approval timeframe, and the enlarged accommodation units.
City councillor and DAP member Nardia Turner opposed the development, adding that the consultation period for the community fell short.
“I do believe individually they aren’t a concern [but] they haven’t been addressed collectively,” she said.
“The current allowing is that this could extend beyond the 10 years. I know we don’t know how long a piece of string is, but it could also never ever be a residential development.
“I can’t support an application that I believe is based solely on the economic benefits to an applicant while disregarding process, requirement, needs assessment and due regard to council and community…”
However, DAP presiding member Clayton Higham supported the proposal despite the workers accommodation being in a residential zone.
“I believe that the response to the deferral has been well thought through, it provided me with good additional information,” he said at the meeting.
“It resulted in a better outcome.”
In the development application compiled by Planning Solutions, Northern Star flagged five new projects in the Kalgoorlie region with construction to span from mid-2025 to 2029.
Northern Star estimated a peak construction workforce of 700 people.
The company previously said it would examine further expansion and growth for its Kalgoorlie operation which could continue beyond 2029.
