$17m earmarked for regional projects

The board of LandCorp has approved more than $17million in civil works for projects in three regional Western Australian locations where the current resources boom is putting pressure on community infrastructure.
LandCorp CEO Ross Holt said the projects, located in Karratha, Hopetoun and Newman would help ensure towns had sufficient residential and industrial land to grow.
“This ongoing supply of developed land is very much aimed at addressing pricing pressures and to improve local residential affordability,” Mr Holt said.
A $12 million civil works contract for Tambrey, a 176-lot residential development in Karratha, was recently awarded to Works Infrastructure Pty Ltd. The new land supply is expected to help address a shortage of residential land in the town, which has grown rapidly thanks to the presence of the iron ore industry.
The first release contains 60 lots, which will be sold through a public ballot.
Mr Holt said the number of people registered for Tambrey estate far exceeded the number of blocks being released in stage one.
LandCorp is also expediting the planning over adjacent areas, which have the capacity to produce up to 1,500 lots.
Another residential ballot will be held at Hopetoun for 51 lots in LandCorp’s Mary Anne Waters development, where a $4.5million civil works development contract was recently awarded to Ertech Pty Ltd.
LandCorp said the Ravensthorpe Nickel Project and a general push for the coastal lifestyle had helped generate demand in Hopetoun.
The iron ore boom has also prompted LandCorp to also address the need for light industrial zoned land in Newman in the East Pilbara.
The agency has awarded contracts to Works Infrastructure Pty Ltd for civil works worth $1 million to develop nine light industrial lots in Newman, ranging in size from 2931 square metres to 3364sq m.
Mr Holt said LandCorp’s commitment to the regions was extensive and growing.
“With more than half of LandCorp’s projects in regional Western Australia we have worked to strengthen our resources to help deliver timely projects over a huge state at a time when the contractor and labour markets are very tight,” he said.
“Our success depends on strong working partnerships with local government, regional development commissions, and the local communities themselves.”