Accomodation services provider MAC Services Group Ltd has been selected by the state government to construct a 1,400 unit accommodation village at Gap Ridge, near Karratha.
Accomodation services provider MAC Services Group Ltd has been selected by the state government to construct a 1,400 unit accommodation village at Gap Ridge, near Karratha.
Gap Ridge marks the New South Wales-based company's second foray into the Western Australian market following its acquisition of an accommodation village site in Kambalda in August where it plans to build more than 600 ensuite rooms.
MAC's proposed site layout plan for Gap Ridge includes a total of 1,430 living areas, comprising 976 one-bedroom ensuite rooms, 308 ensuite studios, 96 self-contained villas suitable for up to two people, and 50 caravan sites.
Gap Ridge is located near Woodside Petroleum's North West Shelf gas project and Rio Tinto's iron ore ports.
MAC executive chairman and managing director Kevin Maloney said it was well on its way to developing a Western Australian footprint.
MAC currently has more than 3,750 rooms in five accommodation villages in Queensland's Bowen Basin, situated at Coppabella, Dysart, Middlemount, Moranbah, and Nebo.
"Gap Ridge and our facility at Kambalda will allow us to participate in WA's mining expansion by offering resource and construction workers a superior level of accommodation. We have already a number of key management and construction personnel on the ground in WA getting on with the job," he said in a statement.
Stage one of the project involves the construction and installation of 500 en-suited rooms, a central amenities block incorporating a kitchen and dining area, service rooms such as laundries, associated infrastructure, and a tennis court, gym and pool.
In addition, a total of 392 rooms suitable for single occupancy and 108 studio rooms will be installed.
MAC's successful EOI proposal was for a 10 year lease by LandCorp, with options to extend the lease for a further three five-year periods.
Mr Maloney said the estimated cost of developing an accommodation village at Karratha to cater for up to 1,500 guests could be met using its current funds and bank facilities.
Planning and Infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan said at least 40 per cent of the units would be set aside for civil works contractors, builders and tradespeople working on residential developments in the town.
"Strong growth in the resources sector has placed pressure on the region's real estate market, but building more houses quickly was difficult, as construction workers themselves couldn't find accommodation," she said in a statement.
"We are well aware that employee accommodation challenges are also holding back the growth of other local businesses, so this announcement is a great outcome for the town.
"So far we have added more than 340 residential lots to the market in Karratha over the last 18 months, and have more than 1,300 lots planned in total, all with development conditions requiring construction within a 30-month timeframe."
