Pindan gets the nod for Karratha estate

Pindan has been chosen to develop more than 300 houses on land next to LandCorp's existing Nickol estate in Karratha, while the state government has today also told local businesses they will be given priority at a different estate in the town.

LandCorp will sell the super lots, on 24 hectares of land west of Balmoral Road, to Pindan to deliver a substantial expansion of residential opportunities in the town.

Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said in order to encourage faster release of land, the sale did not involve the usual project parameters such as design guidelines, estate density and sales methods.

"By giving the developer greater scope and having fewer constraints, these homes will be delivered within a three year timeframe to address accommodation issues in the region," Mr Grylls said.

Pindan director, development management Nick Allingame said his company was well positioned to work with the state government in Karratha.

"We look forward to working with LandCorp with its residential expansion at Nickol - this is an exciting opportunity to create the best possible homes for the region," Mr Allingame said.

Meanwhile, local business owners will be given priority access to 50 new residential lots at Baynton West Estate.

The lots to be released by LandCorp will range in size from 374sqm to 626sqm and are priced between $165,000 to $234,500.

North West MLA Vince Catania said supporting the small, local businesses in the region was a high priority for the government.

"A major goal of 'Pilbara Cities' is to build more economic diversity and sustainability in Karratha and this release is a positive first step," Mr Catania said.

An online registration of interest process opens today and closes in a fortnight.

Following the close of registrations, a random draw overseen by independent auditor, Ernst and Young, will be conducted in Perth on November 11.

The successful businesses will be notified by email on November 12.

Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said LandCorp will use an online registration of interest random draw process as the fairest and most equitable method for allocating lots in high demand.

"The process, which has been used successfully overseas, is open and transparent and affords everybody the same level of opportunity, provided they meet the conditions that apply," he said.

"Online registrations allow potential purchasers to apply on an even footing with others rather than on a first come first served basis."

See statement from Regional Development Minister below:

Local business owners in Karratha will be given priority access to 50 new residential lots in the latest land release at Baynton West Estate.

The lots to be released by LandCorp will range in size from 374sqm to 626sqm and are priced between $165,000 to $234,500.

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the State Government was providing housing to support Karratha-based business owners and employees as part of its 'Pilbara Cities' vision.

"We acknowledge land supply shortages in Karratha have made it difficult for small businesses to retain staff and this initiative is intended to help address this issue," Mr Grylls said.

The Minister said North West MLA Vince Catania had welcomed the land release and agreed that helping small, local businesses in the region is a high priority.

Mr Catania said the new land release was a positive first step towards building more economic and sustainable diversity in Karratha - one of the major goals of the State Government's 'Pilbara Cities' initiative.

An online Registration of Interest (ROI) process opened on Wednesday, October 20 and closes at 2pm on Wednesday, November 3.

Following the close of registrations, a random draw overseen by an independent auditor, Ernst and Young, will be conducted in Perth on Thursday, November 11. Successful businesses will be notified by email on Friday, November 12.

Mr Grylls said LandCorp will use an online ROI random draw process as the fairest and most equitable method for allocating lots in high demand.

"The process, which has been used successfully overseas, is open and transparent and affords everybody the same level of opportunity, provided they meet the conditions that apply," he said.

"Online registrations allow potential purchasers to apply on an even footing with others rather than on a first come first served basis."

Eligible businesses can register online at http://www.landcorp.com.au/project/bayntonwest

Mr Grylls said that through Baynton West, LandCorp is set to deliver a significant amount of new land and more housing choice for the people of Karratha.

"The next land release at Baynton West will be 100 residential lots aimed at first home buyers and then owner occupiers and is expected to take place in November 2010," he said.

"In total LandCorp will eventually release 450 lots, which also includes 150 house and land packages and a 20 home display village.

"In addition, a further 220 dwellings will be built by Auzcorp on the four hectare Lot 365 at Baynton West.

"Once fully developed, Baynton West will be an attractive new suburb supporting more than 1,100 homes."

See statement from the minister below:

Western Australian development company Pindan has been selected to develop up to 323 dwellings on 24ha of land next to LandCorp's existing Nickol estate.

LandCorp will sell the super lot located west of Balmoral Road to Pindan in order to deliver a substantial expansion of residential opportunities in Karratha to meet the demand for quality home sites.

Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said in order to encourage faster release of land, the sale did not involve the usual project parameters such as design guidelines, estate density and sales methods.

"By giving the developer greater scope and having fewer constraints, these homes will be delivered within a three year timeframe to address accommodation issues in the region," Mr Grylls said.

North West MLA Vince Catania said that engaging the private sector was integral to realising the Pilbara Cities vision of building liveable communities with all the amenities enjoyed by major Australian cities.

He said more private sector participation meant greater housing choice and more competition.

This is the second development for Pindan in Karratha. In 2009, the company was chosen to develop rental houses at LandCorp's grouped housing site at the Tambrey residential estate.

Pindan director, Development Management Nick Allingame said his company was well positioned to work with the State Government in Karratha.

"We look forward to working with LandCorp with its residential expansion at Nickol - this is an exciting opportunity to create the best possible homes for the region," Mr Allingame said.

Site works are planned to commence in September 2011 with the first residential home sites expected to be released for sale to the homebuyer market in July 2011.

In addition to the land at Nickol, 450 new lots will soon be available at LandCorp's 93ha Baynton West.

Once fully developed, Baynton West will be an attractive new suburb supporting more than 1,100 homes, including 220 dwellings to be constructed by Auzcorp on the four hectares Lot 365.