NEARLY a dozen Western Australian suburbs have been identified among the nation’s top 50 areas geared for capital growth in 2013.
Midland and South Hedland were cherry picked among the 11 WA suburbs that made it into the 2013 ‘Fast 50’ report, released by Smart Property Investment, recognised for good infrastructure and impending large amounts of financial investment.
The Fast 50 hotspots were selected based on a range of key metrics, including population growth, demand for housing, income levels, vacancy rates and previous capital growth.
Affordable pricing and proximity to infrastructure, such as the airport, Great Eastern Highway and the train line, made Midland a “strong investment selection”.
Meanwhile, South Hedland had a high longterm trend for increasing capital growth and positive cash flow, Fast 50 contributor and property mentor Helen Collier-Kogtevs said.
Supporting factors included the area’s past performance, low vacancy rates, high per-capita income levels, a shortage of land and high demand for all types of housing, as well as spending on new iron ore mines.
Other WA towns and suburbs to make the top 50 list are: Aubin Grove, Dampier, Falcon, Hamilton Hill, Karratha, Kwinana, Newman, Rockingham, and Wungong.
Outside of WA, Queensland accounted for 17 suburbs and New South Wales 11. Six suburbs made the list for Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory had two apiece, and Tasmania had one entrant.
Universal secures $31m in contracts
AN Osborne Park-based construction company has been awarded more than $31 million in contracts by the state government for work at two new primary schools.
Universal Constructions secured two separate contracts through a tender process.
One contract, valued at $20.45 million, is for main construction works for the new North Butler Primary School, which will be opened in 2014.
Universal will also construct the new North Yanchep Primary School, also to be opened in 2014. The contract is valued at $10.99 million.
The company has lately focused the bulk of its business in the delivery of educational facilities, having started in the sector in 1990. It has been involved in general industrial and commercial construction since 1952.
Perkins wins $16m of work
BUNBURY-BASED Perkins Builders has won two contracts valued at a combined $16 million for work in Jandakot and East Victoria Park.
ATCO Gas awarded Perkins a $10 million contract to construct a two-storey office in Jandakot, while the aged care group Brightwater awarded work at stage two of its Oats Street development.
The ATCO project, which features unique gas powered air-conditioning units, will start this month and is expected to be complete by November.
Construction of the $6 million Brightwater development will start in February. It is intended for recovering brain injury patients and includes four residential units of four to five bedrooms as well as two apartment blocks.
“We are pleased to be able to partner with two highly regarded corporate clients such as ATCO and Brightwater and to further showcase our abilities across various market sectors,” Perkins business development manager Rod Sproule said.
