Lithium giant Albemarle has received approval to build a large workers' accommodation village in Western Australia's south-west after a year-long search for a suitable location.
The $125.6 million project in Australind, two hours' drive south of Perth, will accommodate close to 850 workers required for a planned expansion of the US company's lithium operation.
Two hundred, four-bed villas will be built on the 17-hectare site on Paris Road, with the facility set to include a lap pool, mini golf, and 650-space car park.
A spokesperson from Albemarle welcomed the approval, which comes at a time when housing pressures have made it hard for local businesses to attract new workers.
"Development of this long-term, sustainable, and socially integrated precinct for Albemarle’s construction and future operations workforce is critical to the proposed expansion of the Kemerton Lithium Hydroxide Processing Plant over the coming decades," the spokesperson said.
The proposal was classified a "seriously entertained planning proposal" by the Shire of Harvey and was approved with a unanimous vote at the Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP).
Albemarle's Australian country manager Beverley East previously told the ABC that the proposal was planned with the region's rental pressures in mind.
"We're really aware of the ongoing shortage of short-term accommodation and long-term residential housing in the South West," she said late last year.
"And we were trying really hard to ensure that we don't do anything that adds to that pressure that's already in the market."
Design has long-term vision
Albemarle said the project would continue to have a life, even after the workers have left, with plans to turn the workers' camp into a housing estate later down the line.
"[There is] a plan for the future construction of new housing on the Paris Road site to create a permanent residential housing estate," a spokesperson said.
"This longer-term approach was influenced by community feedback and fresh analysis of Albemarle’s future workforce needs."
The Shire of Harvey said the long-term plan for the village would help workers be a part of the local community — more than a traditional workers' camp.
In a report to JDAP, the Shire of Harvey dismissed concerns from the local community about the location of the project and found that the land was suitable for residential development.
"Whilst it is understandable that a site closer to the proponent’s processing plant for the proposal would be practical, worker accommodation is not appropriate within the Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area given the existence of heavy industrial uses," the report said.
It also said community concerns about an increase in crime and various forms of anti-social behaviour as a result of the project could be mitigated.
Second proposal for the region
The plans come off the back of Albemarle's proposal for a 500-person workers' camp in nearby Binningup, which has been fiercely opposed by the community.
The Shire of Harvey agreed with the community and described the proposal as being contrary to the principles of orderly and proper planning.
Albemarle has received approval from the state government for the Binningup camp, but it has stalled in the State Administrative Tribunal due to an issue with reticulated sewerage.
A spokesperson for the company would not confirm if the Binningup proposal would be dropped, or if it would exist alongside the Australind facility.
"No decision has been made regarding the proposed Binningup development," a spokesperson said.
