New $1.5 billion development announced for Karratha
A new wave of developments has been announced for communities in the Pilbara to help ease the rising cost of housing that is following on from resource projects in the area.
Western Australian minister for regional development Brendon Grylls said that the new projects in Karratha will put downward pressure on the prices and rates while offering a range of opportunities for businesses.
There will be space for 50,000 permanent residents and over 10,000 square metres of commercial space - not to mention improved hospitality venues and entertainment centres.
Grylls asserted: "People that work in the resource sector are well paid, they want a high amenity and good liveability in their communities; if we can offer that they'll choose to live there.
"There are enormous opportunities for people in the eastern states, for people in WA, for people overseas to look at the Pilbara as a place to call home."
Speaking on the development plans, WA premier Colin Barnett said that new housing and commercial opportunities would help to cement Karratha's reputation as a permanent community by reducing the number of fly-in fly-out operations required.
Barnett asserted: "The mining companies themselves in the longer term want to see more of their employees working and housed in the region on a permanent basis."
The first stage is currently projected for completion some time in 2014.
