In a groundbreaking project for Western Australia, the first of 100 homes built for service workers in the Pilbara has left Perth by road and is due to arrive in Karratha this weekend.
The $30million project is funded by the State Government's Royalties for Regions through the Pilbara Cities program with the homes to be placed on the Warambie Estate to house up to 250 workers, currently experiencing housing stress.
Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said this first house represented a fulfilment of a Government promise made at the Pilbara Cities launch, only nine months ago.
"Providing suitable and affordable accommodation for Karratha's retail, tourism and general service sectors has been a high priority and a considerable challenge," Mr Grylls said.
"Small businesses, and the people who work in them, make up the fabric of regional communities and this is an important initiative to support them.
"As part of the State Government's Pilbara Cities vision, we want to make Karratha an attractive place where people want to live permanently, and we also want to diversify the economy."
The Minister said with rents for the homes expected to range from $300 to $500 a week, the project was designed to ease accommodation pressures and help local businesses retain staff in service jobs outside the mining and Government sectors.
Ideally located on the corner of Searipple and Warambie roads, close to shops and other services in the town centre, the first 16 units will be ready for occupancy by Christmas. The others will be delivered throughout next year.
Following an Expression of Interest process last year, National Lifestyle Villages (NLV) was appointed to build and operate the units, with rental income to be returned to the State.
Mr Grylls said businesses, along with their employees, could apply for two-year tenancies for the one, two and three bedroom dwellings.
"The Shire of Roebourne, the Pilbara Development Commission, the Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce and NLV have established eligibility criteria for an assessment process so that most workers who need the homes get priority," he said.
"A management committee will evaluate applications and allocate properties based on rankings against these criteria."
Applications to rent the new units opened on September 6 and more information can be found at http://www.nlvlifestyledevelopments.com.au
Minister's office - 9213 7000
