PLANS by property developer Mirvac to build a $125 million hotel and residential project in Port Hedland will add to the already significant investment in accommodation and infrastructure within the region.
LandCorp chose Mirvac to develop the $50 million, 178-room hotel resort, which will cover 1.58 hectares of vacant land adjacent to the old Port Hedland Hospital.
The hotel will include a fine-dining restaurant, bar, cafe and function space, as well as conference facilities, a gym, a guest pool and extensive gardens.
Mirvac said it also planned to construct 116 new residential dwellings in addition to the hotel development, at a cost of $75 million.
A hotel development at the site was first flagged in November 2007 by the state government, after the (then) planning and infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan announced Mirvac as the project’s preferred proponent.
Mirvac’s original proposal was for a $100 million, 116-room hotel and the development of more than 50 apartments and small single home lots.
Mirvac Western Australia chief executive Evan Campbell said the project would be a significant boost for Port Hedland, providing much-needed accommodation to service the booming resource sector.
“There is strong demand for residential accommodation and a hotel such as the one proposed will go a long way towards satisfying the significant shortage of hotel rooms in Port Hedland,” Mr Campbell said.
Earlier this year, Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls announced $20 million in Royalties for Regions-funded infrastructure for seven priority projects for the Pilbara.
The funding included $6 million towards the Main Street Jetty extension, and $3.1 million towards the demolition and site remediation of the old Port Hedland Hospital and the redevelopment of that site as part of the Port Hedland Waterfront revitalisation.
The state government also launched two initiatives to make housing more affordable in the region, with the relocation of the Port Hedland wastewater treatment plant and the release of 47ha of South Hedland land for worker and indigenous housing.
Last month, Mr Grylls announced the release of 39 lots earmarked for industrial purposes at Hedland Junction, near Port Hedland, which would include 21 light industrial lots and 18 lots designed for transport use.
Mr Grylls said the hotel development would be a welcome addition to the region, as the lack of accommodation in Port Hedland was hampering the region’s economic and social development.
“Developments like this hotel are central to helping Port Hedland in its evolution into becoming the Pilbara’s port city,” he said.
Town of Port Hedland mayor Kelly Howlett said the project had been identified as a top priority by the town council and the state government.
“It’s great to see the state government support the town in addressing issues surrounding accommodation, economic diversity, as well as long term sustainability of the town,” Ms Howlett said.
