Work under way on $400m Karratha FIFO camp

Multiplex has commenced construction of  the 604-bed Bay Village accommodation facility for Woodside Petroleum's fly-in, fly-out workers in Karratha.

The start of construction comes after a consortium comprising of Multiplex, facilities manager Compass Group, investor DIF, and Brookfield Financial was formally awarded a $400 million contract to construct and manage the facility.

It also comes nearly two years after the plans were first unveiled, attracting a strong backlash from the local community, which had wanted less focus on FIFO accomodation and greater integration with the town.

Construction is estimated to take approximately 13 months, with the facility expected to be fully operational in mid-2020.

The facility will be built on the site of the existing Bay Village in Karratha, with a 15-year design life.

The village will contain 604 accommodation units, supported by central facilities including a gym, administration block, swimming pool and multi-use sports courts.

Multiplex will construct the facility, with Compass Group appointed to manage the facility for a 15-year period.

Multiplex WA regional managing director Chris Palandri said the contractor had worked closely with Woodside to finalise the design for Bay Village over the last year.

“Local content remains a key focus of the project, with 85 per cent local employment anticipated and the vast majority of procurement expected to take place in Western Australia,” he said.

Compass Group managing director Shelley Roberts said the company was delighted to be continuing its longstanding relationship with Woodside and the Karratha community at Bay Village.”

“Engaging with the local Karratha community is a key goal of Woodside and Compass Group, and accordingly we will be implementing a number of initiatives aimed at maximising local employment and suppliers,” she said.

In November, Woodside Petroleum struck a revised deal with the City of Karratha to build the 604-bed workers camp.

An initial proposal for a 700-bed workers camp was rejected by the City in September 2017, despite it gaining approval from the state government in June 2018.