City backs mining workshop plan

Metso Outotec has lodged a proposal to build a $14.9 million mining machinery workshop on a 3.5-hectare vacant lot in the Gap Ridge industrial estate in Karratha.

The company proposes to build a 5,000 square metre workshop, paint/blast booths, a clean room, a two-storey office and light stores with receival and dispatch counter for delivery vehicles at the corner of Exploration Drive and Bedrock Turn.

The workshop will contain 16 service bays and clearways for loading or unloading by forklifts.

Metso Outotec fabricate, repair and refurbish mining machinery while providing other mining-related services.

Its proposal, with designs by Meyer Shircore architects, also includes the development of sealed internal accessways, landscaping and carparking.

The Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel will consider the application at its meeting next week, with the City of Karratha recommending approval in its responsible authority report.

“The City of Karratha is very excited to have businesses like Metso Outotec looking to invest and develop in the city,” the report said.

“The City wants to do what it can to help Metso Outotec realise its development plans.

“The proposed development is a good fit for the subject site and the statutory development controls that apply to this part of the Gap Ridge Industrial Estate.”

The Western Australian Planning Commission approved a subdivision of the lot in January, which reduced the subject site from 5.3 hectares to 3.5 hectares.

“The subdivision will provide Metso Outotec with a land parcel of a size that better suits its needs,” the report said.

“Metso Outotec has a contract of sale with the subdivider Development WA to purchase proposed (new lot).”

The subject site is about 9km from the Karratha City Centre.