Northern Star Resources will have to wait more than a month to progress its 800-bed workers camp proposal after an assessment panel was unable to decide on the $65 million plan.
Northern Star Resources will have to wait more than a month to progress its 800-bed workers camp proposal after an assessment panel was unable to decide on the $65 million plan.
The Regional Development Assessment Panel today voted to defer the Subiaco-based mining company’s application to build an accommodation development in Mulligar, in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Northern Star proposed to build 200 four-room transportable cabins to house 800 of its Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, which includes the Super Pit, workers and associated communal facilities.
The proposal was met with some opposition, including Allerding & Associates director Steve Allerding who presented at the DAP meeting.
Mr Allerding said the proposal for the 800-bed facility far exceeded the expectation of the intensity for the area.
“The intensity also has implications for access issues and bushfire issues,” he said at the meeting.
Planning Solutions director Ben Doyle, on behalf of Northern Star, supported a deferral of the application for his client to address the issues recently raised by the city and Kalgoorlie-Boulder councillors.
“We have worked closely with city officers for almost a year on this project by identifying the site and working to address city’s requirements and recommendation,” he said at the meeting.
“Northern Star is a significant investor and employer in Kalgoorlie and the region.
“There is no dispute that there is a need for this facility and the project is very important to Norther Star’s continued operations
“Matters raised by council [in its] resolution are relevant and we are confident we can address all those matters.”
The majority of DAP members were reluctant to refuse the proposed accommodation development and instead voted to defer it for up to 90 days.
Northern Star has flagged five new projects in the region, with construction to span from mid-2025 to 2029, the development application shows.
The company projected peak construction workforce numbers of about 700 people.
Northern Star will examine further expansion and growth for its Kalgoorlie operation which could continue beyond 2029.
