Premier Colin Barnett has announced the release of a large-scale development opportunity to revitalise Karratha's city centre as well as a plans to construct a new 2,500 home coastal community.
Premier Colin Barnett has announced the release of a large-scale development opportunity to revitalise Karratha's city centre as well as a plans to construct a new 2,500 home coastal community.
Mr Barnett said the government would concurrently release five parcels of land in the city and more an 160ha of residential land at the coastal suburb of Mulataga.
He said the land release was a key part of the government's "Pilbara Cities" vision.
"This is an important step toward creating places where people choose to settle on a permanent basis, where they can bring up families with access to high standards of education, health and diverse employment and career opportunities," he said.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said LandCorp would launch a nationwide Expression of Interest early next month to find a major development partner for the project.
"We are looking for a major developer with the necessary skills to deliver a vibrant and attractive city centre as well as a high quality waterfront estate that can include cafes, tourism and shopping precincts and a variety of residential products and recreational facilities," Mr Grylls said.
"The five city centre parcels of land range in size from 0.35ha to 1.5ha and will be suitable for a variety of mixed uses including entertainment, office, retail and civic, and may also accommodate a hotel or other form of short-stay accommodation and residential apartments," he said.
See joint statement from the Premier and Lands Minister below:
Karratha's progression towards becoming a major regional City of the North is closer to realisation today with the release of a large-scale development opportunity to revitalise the city centre as well as construct a new 2,500 home coastal community.
Premier Colin Barnett said the opportunity included the concurrent release of five parcels of land in the city centre and more than160ha of residential land at the coastal suburb of Mulataga.
"This package is a key component of the State Government's 'Pilbara Cities' vision to transform Karratha into a city of 50,000 people, supported by the services and facilities enjoyed in other Australian cities," Mr Barnett said.
"This is an important step toward creating places where people choose to settle on a permanent basis, where they can bring up families with access to high standards of education, health and diverse employment and career opportunities."
Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said LandCorp would launch a nationwide Expression of Interest (EOI) early next month to find a major development partner to deliver this project.
"We are looking for a major developer with the necessary skills to deliver a vibrant and attractive city centre as well as a high quality waterfront estate that can include cafes, tourism and shopping precincts and a variety of residential products and recreational facilities," Mr Grylls said.
"The five city centre parcels of land range in size from 0.35ha to 1.5ha and will besuitable for a variety of mixed uses including entertainment, office, retail and civic, and may also accommodate a hotel or other form of short-stay accommodation and residential apartments.
"This will involve working within Karratha's existing fabric to create a range of mixed use opportunities aimed at bringing the city centre to life in accordance with the Shire of Roebourne's City of the North Plan."
Situated on Nickol Bay, Stage 1 of the Mulataga residential estate is expected to offer a variety of homes including single, grouped, apartment and mixed-use opportunities.
Mr Grylls said LandCorp would oversee the project to ensure the natural features, including the fragile coastal mangroves, are protected and enhanced, while providing improved access for Karratha residents and visitors.
"People will be able to take advantage of the spectacular views of the Burrup Peninsula, mangroves and the Pilbara sunset from cafes, restaurants and parks on the foreshore of Nickol Bay," Mr Grylls said
The Minister said the State Government, through LandCorp, will facilitate the development, while ensuring Aboriginal values and environmental conditions are met. However, the successful development company will be free to create its own designs to deliver on the vision for this project.
"LandCorp have facilitated the sale of a number of separate private sector development opportunities including englobo land sales, local neighbourhood centres and high-rise development sites," Mr Grylls said
Expressions of Interest to develop this project will close in December 2010 and the EOI documents can be downloaded from http://www.landcorp.com.au/project/cityofnorth
