First sod turned in Yara Pilbara project

Minister for Regional Development Brendon Grylls was on hand last Friday to turn the first sod of land for Yara Pilbara's new $50 million housing project.

The ammonia production company has committed to the construction of 65 new houses in Karratha to accommodate its growing workforce.

The new homes are expected to be completed between April and September next year.

Yara Pilbara chief executive Mark Loquan said the moment was a significant milestone.

"The construction of these homes is a direct consequence of Yara Pilbara's decision to develop a workforce that lives permanently in Karratha, rather than adopting the fly-in, fly-out model," he said.

Mr Grylls praised Yara Pilbara's initiative in striving for a residential workforce.

"I've heard other companies complain about not having a residential workforce - well it's pretty difficult if you don't try," he said.

"FIFO has its role to play, but we can do better for working dads … hopefully these workers will later transition to owning their own houses in the community."

Of the new houses, 24 will be built in the Madigan estate by WA builder Pindan and will accommodate workers from the existing Yara Pilbara fertiliser plant. The remaining 41 houses will be built at Jingarri by Pilbara builders Timik Residential and Thomas Building.

The Jingarri homes will house workers from the $800 million Yara Pilbara Nitrates' technical ammonium nitrate plant, which is under construction and scheduled for completion by mid-2015.

Mr Loquan said as the on-site activity builds, the technical ammonium nitrate project would result in a peak of up to 400 jobs during construction, with a permanent operational workforce of 60 when completed.