Concerns over Onslow workers' accommodation

The Onslow Chamber of Commerce and Industry has raised concerns over a potential delay in the release of 220 residential lots and an operations village in Onslow.

OCCI president Geoff Herbert said although he was confident Chevron would eventually take up the lots, he was concerned a delay in signing contracts with the Department of State Development would severely affect small businesses in town.

"The State Government is waiting for Chevron to formalise agreements for the residential lots and the 9-hectare operations village site," he said. "Once both of these contracts are signed, works can commence developing the 220 lots and the operations village site.

"Small business is counting on access to the residential lots so they can house their workforce, while the utilities infrastructure required for the operational workers' village will provide much needed additional power and water supplies to the community."

Representing more than 48 businesses, the OCCI conducted a recent survey which highlighted access to affordable worker accommodation as the greatest obstacle to doing business in the area.

Mr Herbert said no business owners in town could afford to house their workforce because the town, which previously had a population of 700, is expected to grow to 3000 people with the expansion of oil and gas development in the area.

"We are heading for a population in excess of 3000 people with the highest rents in Australia and nowhere to live," he said.

The residential lots and operational village were first announced last year by LandCorp.

A Chevron spokesman said the company intended to commit to a significant investment in stage one of the subdivision, and would pay for the land up front to assist with LandCorp's development costs.

"Chevron is therefore undertaking an appropriate degree of due diligence with regard to the size and nature of this investment," he said.

"Chevron expects to proceed with the land purchase imminently. Chevron is also working with (the Department of State Development) and other State Government agencies to progress the development of waste, water and power facilities that will service the new residential development."

The spokesman said the company recognised funding new and upgraded social and critical infrastructure was essential to enhancing the future sustainability of Onslow.

Mr Herbert said one of the chamber's other concerns was whether Chevron was planning on retaining a section of its current construction village for its workforce accommodation rather than constructing the operational workers village.

"Any default in this area will have serious ramifications for business in the area," he said.

The Chevron spokesman said the company was working to its base case plan to construct 50 new homes for residential workers and their families, with the remainder of the operations workforce to be accommodated in a 320-person fly-in, fly-out operations village in Onslow.

The Department of State Development declined to comment.