This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
AT LEAST 100 new homes will be built in Western Australia’s Pilbara region over the next five years, after the Cook government and the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation landed an agreement with Perdaman that will see the company spend $122 million on the construction of sorely-needed housing.
Eighty-five lots will be sold to Perdaman and used to build homes for its workers in Karratha, with lots at Madigan will be acquired at a bulk purchase rate “in recognition of the positive economic and social impact of the project on Karratha”, the government said, with construction expected to begin later this year.
The remaining 15 lots will be sold to Perdaman by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation.
Perdaman’s is developing the $7 billion Karratha Urea Project, and only local workers on the project will be housed in the new properties, which cannot be used as fly-in-fly-out accommodation or leased on the private market.
Perdaman will complete the houses within five years, using local building contractors, with ownership of the land to revert to DevelopmentWA, if residential construction timelines are not met.
The company’s chairman, Vikas Rambal, said, “By building these houses we are providing a more harmonious workplace to our operational workforce while also benefiting the Karratha community by bringing such a highly skilled workforce to the region.
“Increasing housing will reduce pressure on both the project workforce and local rental housing market.”
Domain data shows the median weekly rent in Karratha has surged from $470 per week five years ago to $1,100 at the end of 2023, marking the biggest increase of any regional city in Australia in that time.
The Cook government said it would also work with Perdaman to potentially include additional state housing to be built over the same period. These properties would be used by other key workers, or as social housing.
DevelopmentWA is also preparing 89 residential lots for the general market.
“We know that the cost of building homes in our state’s north has increased sharply, and unfortunately, the price of delivering housing for their workers is restrictive for many businesses,” Premier Roger Cook said.
“By supporting this project, my government is helping to get these crucial developments off the ground, support local businesses and local jobs, and build a better region to benefit the entire state.
“This sensible and pragmatic approach will deliver at least 100 houses for Karratha locals within the next five years, contributing to a vibrant regional community and creating quality jobs for the future.”
Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the Pilbara’s economic success is “central to the success of the entire WA economy”.
“By stepping in to support housing developments, we can help to drive investment into this key economic hub.”
The Cook government is investing $3.2 billion in housing and homelessness measures.
