Shire of Northampton to set up temporary worker housing in Kalbarri after State Government project stalls

Temporary caravan accommodation will be set up in Kalbarri to house workers desperately needed to repair cyclone-damaged infrastructure in the town. The Shire of Northampton endorsed a concept plan proposing to install a temporary workers’ caravan accommodation facility at 25 Anchorage Lane in Kalbarri at its July council meeting. Under the proposal, 15 caravan bays, an ablution facility and a camp kitchen will be temporarily installed at the site. The procurement of a temporary transportable ablution facility has started and several quotes have been received. The decision comes as the State Government’s preferred proponent is yet to begin works to build workers’ accommodation on a site on Wood Street. On August 16 last year, Petra Westkey was named the preferred proponent for a multi-user workforce accommodation facility, built to help businesses attract and retain staff as the community continues to rebuild after cyclone Seroja, but almost a year on the Woods Street site remains a vacant block. Shire president Liz Sudlow said accommodation was a “huge” issue in Kalbarri and cyclone Seroja only exacerbated the issue. “The Shire of Northampton and DFES are progressing with developing a temporary caravan accommodation facility in Kalbarri,” she said. “It is disappointing that there appears to be a lack of progress on the more permanent accommodation promised by the State Government prior to the last election and prior to cyclone Seroja. “A lack of accommodation and housing in Kalbarri, particularly in the rental market, remains a problem and consultation with the local businesses confirmed the need for the facility.” Shire chief executive Andrew Campbell contacted DFES expressing the need for the temporary facility following a consultation with local businesses. The council voted to endorse GHD’s temporary workers caravan accommodation facility concept plan to begin detailed design, approval, procurement and works. The operational use and effectiveness of the portable facilities will be reviewed annually once in operation and information about the plan will be advertised to the community. The motion was carried unanimously 7-0.