Apartments set to rise in the Pilbara with preferred developer selected, Grylls
Author: Brendon Grylls
Published on: 24-March-2010
The face of accommodation in Karratha will be revolutionised, with work set to start on the Pilbara’s first modern high-rise residential and commercial development by the middle of next year.
The Liberal-National Government today announced the awarding of a contract for the development to preferred proponent Finbar Group just 18 months after the idea for vibrant cities in the north was committed to during the 2008 State Election.
The project will be delivered through the Government’s Royalties for Regions Pilbara Cities initiative and could be up to 10 storeys, provide up to 300 residential apartments and 3,000 square metres of commercial space.
“The Liberal-National Government is committed to improving living conditions in the Pilbara to support the thousands of people living and working in the towns that drive our economic development and encourage more people to settle there in future,” Premier Colin Barnett said.
“For the first time, people living or looking to live in Karratha will have the chance to live in resort style accommodation, with air-conditioning, pools, a gym, green lawns and parks - the kind of which is enjoyed throughout the metropolitan area of Perth and other major Australian cities.
“This project is a prime example of how this Government is getting on with making decisions that benefit the State and making sure that the proceeds of our economic decisions flow back into the community, particularly those which help drive our State.”
Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the mixed use development would also contain shops, cafes, food outlets and offices on the ground floor to activate the streetscape. There will also be road paving and landscaping improvements.
“In order to develop Karratha into a modern, vibrant city of the north, with a diverse economy and high amenity, it is critical we explore and develop new and progressive accommodation solutions such as this high-rise project,” Mr Grylls said.
He said that Finbar Group Limited was Western Australia’s largest apartment developer with significant experience in building in the regions.
The project was also a major part of the Shire of Roebourne’s and LandCorp’s Karratha Revitalisation Plan, which will see Karratha grow into a city of 50,000 people.
LandCorp will sell two development lots in the Karratha town centre to Finbar Group Limited.
Today’s announcement joins a list of projects by the Liberal-National Government aimed at developing the north of the State - the native title agreement with the Yawuru community; identifying Anketell as the next major deepwater iron ore port for the Pilbara; and the development of a LNG processing precinct at James Price Point to deliver social and economic benefits for Aboriginal people.
