A 100-unit workforce accommodation project earmarked for Onslow is being planned to alleviate a crippling accommodation shortage that is putting major projects at risk.
A 100-unit workforce accommodation project earmarked for Onslow is being planned to alleviate a crippling accommodation shortage that is putting major economy-building projects at risk.
Shire of Ashburton councillors last week supported a motion to pull together a team to progress plans for a key workers' village at either the town’s airport or an old beachside chalet complex.
The build is being pursued due to extreme accommodation shortages in town which, without action, would be further exacerbated by a number of resources, infrastructure, and residential developments in the pipeline over the next decade.
Shire of Ashburton president Audra Smith said businesses in town were unable to bring in workers due to year-long waits for housing.
“There is a lot of development happening in Onslow and housing is a very hot topic, especially in the Pilbara,” she said.
“When we don't have the worker accommodation for them, somewhere for them to stay, then it puts limitations on our options for allowing the many projects we have that we need to move forward with.”
Onslow’s project is one of 11 local government-backed housing developments planned with a view to easing the crippling workers accommodation shortage which has plagued most North West towns for years.
Collectively those projects – spanning from Kununurra to Shark Bay – are believed to be worth more than $250 million, according to analysis by Business News.
That is in addition to several further workers dwelling projects elsewhere in regional Western Australia, including in Kalgoorlie and Esperance.
While all of the above projects have or intend to put their hand out for state government support (four have received it), Ms Smith said the Onslow build would be progressed to not be dependent on such backing.
“With state government we will … approach them and see what funds there are. But don't forget, we are also competing with other shires who are having similar issues,” she said.
“This may be a lengthy wait for financial support from the state, so for us as a shire we are moving forward by looking at … exploring other avenues so that we can secure the necessary funding to move ahead.”
Ms Smith said early discussions had been held with major companies about contributing to the build.
Initial plans have the build starting with 25 units then expanding to 100 units over four years.
Once no longer required for construction personnel, the shire is considering using the units for low-income essential workers.
Ms Smith said the shire was cautiously optimistic the Pilbara’s local building industry had capacity to take on the job.
Approval of the new complex would come back to councillors for a vote at a later date.
The shire's move comes shortly after the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility was refocused to hone its investment focus on social housing.
A spokesperson for Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King said the minister had asked NAIF to focus on what it could do to support housing projects.
"Under its existing investment mandate, the NAIF is looking at supporting regional and remote housing projects across northern Australia," they said.
"NAIF encourages approaches on any potential housing opportunities for northern Australia."
