Shire rejects LNG accommodation proposal

The Shire of Ashburton has rejected Chevron's desire to house its workers for the Wheatstone LNG project outside the town, fearing it will create a "two town scenario".

At a meeting last night, the Council considered Chevron's proposal to house 75 per cent of its workforce, or 300 to 400 workers, in transient accommodation 15 kilometres south-west of the town of Onslow.

Chevron argued that a lack of facilities and infrastructure in Onslow made it inappropriate to accommodate the workforce in the town.

The Council decided it would not support proposed amendments to the Shire's Planning Scheme, which would have enabled the company to base its operational workforce in the vicinity of the proposed LNG plant for the 50-year life of the project.

"The shire is excited by the possibility of Chevron constructing the proposed Wheatstone LNG project ... particularly as it will represent the first major step in the development of the proposed hydro carbon precinct," said Shire President Greg Musgrave.

"The Shire is, however, of the opinion that development must not be to the detriment of the local community and Onslow in particular," he said.

Mr Musgrave said he appreciated the company's concerns about existing infrastructure in Onslow.

"The fact remains that the operational workforce accommodation does not need to be in place for five years and this leaves sufficient time for hard and social infrastructure to be put in place in the town," he said.

"The Shire is particularly concerned that the construction of an operational workforce accommodation facility adjacent to the Wheatstone LNG facility would set an unacceptable precedent whereby future operators of developments in the hydro carbon industrial hub would also accommodate staff in the same location.

"This would result in a 'two town scenario' with 700-800 workers located in a 'workers village adjacent to the industrial development but also close to Onslow for the next 50 years or more," he said.

Mr Musgrave said the Shire would continue to work with the state government and Chevron to meet the needs of all parties.