Overwhelming interest shown in developing Karratha into a major city

Overwhelming interest shown in developing Karratha into a major city

Portfolio: Regional Development, Lands

A total of nine leading Australian and international property developers have formally expressed interest in taking on a landmark project to dramatically accelerate the State’s Pilbara Cities’ vision to transform Karratha into a city of at least 50,000 people.

 

Following an Expression of Interest (EOI) process late last year, the nine groups have applied to develop up to five parcels of prime land in Karratha’s city centre covering almost six hectares and a further 160 hectares of residential land at coastal Mulataga.

 

Once developed, Mulataga will be a premium coastal residential suburb of more than 2,500 dwellings, linking Karratha directly to the sea. The rush by developers follows an announcement by the Finbar Group late last year that work on the town’s first high rise residential and commercial towers would begin in early 2011.

 

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the response to the Mulataga/town centre EOI demonstrated that the State Government’s Pilbara Cities’ vision to create vibrant major cities in the region had gained significant momentum.

 

“Through Royalties for Regions we are investing an additional billion dollars in the Pilbara region over the next four years and this has sparked strong interest from the private sector,” Mr Grylls said

 

“Developers both here and abroad are clearly recognising the potential a town like Karratha has to become a major economic centre.

 

“In partnership with the private sector, the Western Australian Government is committed to creating more liveable, well-appointed North West centres that encourage familes to settle permanently, breaking the cycle of a transient fly-in-fly-out population.”

 

The shortlist of developers will be announced at the end of February, with proponents then moving to a Request for Proposal (RFP) stage in the procurement process.

 

“Short-listed developers will be asked to produce proposals to create a range of mixed use opportunities in accordance with the Shire of Roebourne’s City of the North Plan,” the Minister said.

 

“At the same time they will also be required to design a premium residential community at Mulataga.”

 

North West MLA Vince Catania welcomed the strong response from the private sector and said the opportunity for medium density commercial, retail and residential development would bring the Karratha city centre to life.

 

Further information can be found by visiting LandCorp’s website at http://www.landcorp.com.au

 

Minister's office  - 9213 7000
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Brucesta's picture

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the multi storey development

Wed, 2011-01-19 10:06

the multi storey development is already underway up here, will give somme very good views of Nickol Bay and i'd be interested to see what they sell for.

Personally i can't wait for all this development to kick off, i'll have a enw shopping precint across the road from me, i'll have a new indoor stadium to play volleyball in and a new pool facility close by, new schools, hospital expansions it's all very exciting, they just need to finish thier dual lane road out to work for me

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Webby's picture

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I cant say I share your

Wed, 2011-01-19 10:30

I cant say I share your enthusiasm brucey, the town is too bloody big as it is and the fishing already is nothing compared to how it was. I moved back here from darwin to get away from the city. I know, I know its good for the town and the state blah blah blah. I would move to onslow or exmouth but i fear they are next... spose ill just have to enjoy the fishing while it lasts before it turns into another perth where you can go several trips without even a bight and only those in the know get good fish.

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Brucesta's picture

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agreed Webby the fishing may

Wed, 2011-01-19 11:22

agreed Webby the fishing may suffer, we'll just have to get smarter. It's all a trade off in the end mate, more people means more services in town and places to go, things to do etc, newer facilities and better teaching for our kids and the wives are happy with more shops.

I'm sure the housing bubble will burst here very shortly, there is only so many houses that can be built before there is a massive oversupply that will drive the prices and rents down, time will tell thats for sure, if not I'll see you in Broome Webby :)

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C'mon up Brucesta get here

Thu, 2011-01-20 15:57

C'mon up Brucesta get here while you can, fishings great lots of sail and marlin but it won't be for long, not with the attitude of mr Barnett

Tony Halliday's picture

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the big question is prices of

Wed, 2011-01-19 10:45

the big question is prices of houses!!!

 

if they still wanting close to a million for a 4 x 2 new house, then they can stick it.

The region needs affordable, repeat in english " housing that a worker can afford on a salary under $100k a year "

How can a guy expect to open a small service business or work as a school teacher or the basic support structure jobs every large town  / city needs when they charging $1000 a week for houses in rent and nearly a million for a prefab house.

Land needs to around $50k a package and house for $200k built, add in $20k for walls /fences / grass etc, and you got an entry level house at under $300k in the market and then the region will grow.

 

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If they're wanting to

Wed, 2011-01-19 11:38

If they're wanting to encourage families to move there instead of fly in fly out, then they'll have to do that. If you're sharing a house, so 4 earners, rent is a lot more mangeable than with a family of 4 with 1.5 earners. Of course, lots of companies pay these rather high rents anyways (but for them, it might be 4 workers v 1 but same rent). Obviously, many families manage at the moment somehow. And obviously there are more lowly paid workers in the town too. Are rents lower in some areas, or do they manage in other ways? (lots to a house?)

Though, how do you drive prices down? (or who). A lot of people are going to be might pissed if the housing bubble bursts, and governments seem to be pretty hesitant to cause that themselves (though they have to if they want affordable accomodation). I dont really see how they can expand the town to 'family friendly' without knocking down housing prices substantially (massive increase in availability) which would probably piss off existing owners too much. Should be interesting to see what happens.

 

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not sure when you last

Wed, 2011-01-19 12:18

not sure when you last checked mate but 4x2 houses are on the wrong side of a mill now and rent you are looking at 1400 to 1800 p/w, something needs to be done

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Your in lala land Tony. I'm

Thu, 2011-01-20 16:03

Your in lala land Tony. I'm in the building game and with the way houses in the cyclone areas need to be built you won't get f@$% all for 200 grand and thats taking out builders margins and overpaid tradies. Can you tell me where you can buy a block for 50k cos I want one.

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Major City

Wed, 2011-01-19 11:29

Karratha is already a major city, they have KFC and round abouts.

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not like us here in port

Wed, 2011-01-19 12:28

not like us here in port hedland, we have 2 chicken treats and a mcdonalds.. SORRY we now have subway, Hungry Jacks is next i heard!

 

i visited Karratha once since living up here, didnt think to much of the place to be honest..

Webby's picture

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i think you have to know how

Wed, 2011-01-19 12:42

i think you have to know how it was to find the beauty in how it is...

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What prices will do

Wed, 2011-01-19 11:36

 Be interesting to see what people think when house prices tank when the new developments come online.

Brucesta's picture

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anyone buying into karratha

Wed, 2011-01-19 11:52

anyone buying into karratha should be very well aware of what they are getting themselves in to. The old man is a builder and he said when his new house is finished it will have only cost him 750,000 total house and land but the market up here dictates he could get 1.2 mill on the open market. I don't think people will make a loss they will just lose that instant equity they aqquired when their home was built, 750-850k is where house prices should be.

I was lucky and got a 2 bed duplex for 170k 8 years ago, it was cheaper to buy than rent and this has now set us up for life as it's worth a cool 560k now.

Careful Adam, we are getting Traffic Lights soon too :)

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Lastchance's picture

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Housing prices

Wed, 2011-01-19 13:59

Thats right Brucey, it is all relative. A new 4 x 2 with lock up garage, shed and games room is going to cost (about) $850,000 to build and will get a great return if sold/rented. However, an ex Hamersley 4 x 2, built in the 70's is not going to fetch any where near that unless it has had some major modification (which a lot have). The prices are high, but the resource expansions have kept the demand here.

This is what gives me the shits, look at the mean house price in Perth compared to the average wage - could most people afford a house in the 600-800,000 range and live in relative comfort? In Karratha there is the work to do that with 1 wage - and you dont need to be in the construction industry to achieve it. Fly in Fly out is attractive as people can buy the place in Perth and afford to enjoy life as well - albeit away from loved ones and friends.

Not every house goes for 1.2 Million, and equally not every house is a 4 x 2 with games room and study. When I was an apprentice there was about 5000 people in town and the joint was dead, there was no talk of (large) expansion projects, but I bought a place because, like Brucey has said, it was cheaper than renting, and I liked the place.

It is still a great place to buy (and live), but, also, I think that the Government needs to have a good look at whom it allows into the already available State housing because they have totally f*cked it up in the last 3-5years. Look at what has happened in Nickol and Baynton.......

The fishing has noticeably declined in the past 5-8 uears, but that is the way it goes - cant have your cake and eat it too........most the time!

Brucey, maybe we can drag race our missus' cars together when we get some traffic lights seeing how they own the V8's........

Brucesta's picture

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Dasiy, the HSV Senator will

Wed, 2011-01-19 15:16

Dasiy, the HSV Senator will DESTROY your soccer mum station wagon mate haha!

The Fourby will be staying at home and the HSv coming out for the burrup 500 for sure when these roads go dual lane and traffic lights

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Lastchance's picture

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Unbelievable

Wed, 2011-01-19 20:26

Dont forget, my missus is from Armadale - Might end up racing eachother with that shoe box, hair dried 4 banger you sold to old mate accross the road!

Brucesta's picture

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ahhh a true Bogan, mind you

Thu, 2011-01-20 12:33

ahhh a true Bogan, mind you my family is from Rockingham and Hamilton Hill, we know how to thrash commodores too (no disrespect to any residents of Armadale, Rocko or Hammy Hill intended)

So diversifying is a smaller boat, a camper trailer and a rice burner instead of that "project" in your driveway then? you'll love the Evo IX mate, i've already flattened the Recaro seat side bolsters down to fit your large frame nicely mate, can't sneeze at 230kw at the wheels from a hairdressers car

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jarrid's picture

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it will take ages for any

Wed, 2011-01-19 12:02

it will take ages for any noticable difference in demand on houses to come through. need a hell of alot of people to build them, and there is still a huge amount of construction going on in the area over the next few years. After Pluto is complete there is potentially Pluto 2, Dampier Port Upgrade, Burrup Nitrates, and Rio Tinto Expansion works to name but a few.

 

There is also the requirement for operators etc for the industry already around the area and then subsequently the new infrastructure.

 

in short - nothing will change with respect to prices for houses or rents for years yet.

 

p.s. just wish i had of bought up when the GFC hit and prices dipped for a couple of weeks...

tailor marc's picture

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I absolutly love K-town but

Wed, 2011-01-19 12:15

I absolutly love K-town but who the hell can afford it?

The new area with a basic looking house is no less that 1million $$$ each

One thing i cant figure out is that Karratha brings in a mind boggling amout of $$$  Yet the town is run down, carparks have massive pot holes etc.

You would think that some of the money being made could be used to make karratha into one hell of a killa town but i spose this is what this thread is about

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tailor marc's picture

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Not looking fwd to the first

Wed, 2011-01-19 12:17

Not looking fwd to the first set of traffic lights to be put in lol

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smash's picture

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dont worry Marc

Wed, 2011-01-19 13:59

the locals (or blow-in locals) will just ignore them like they do the lanes on the double roundabouts in morning to Dampier-and the double white lines-etc

Dale's picture

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They will need to improve the

Wed, 2011-01-19 22:52

They will need to improve the infrastucture up there like power and water which are both already underdone.

 

Cheers

Dale

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Dicko's picture

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House prices

Wed, 2011-01-19 13:55

I think it would be irresponsible of the government to push it too quickly, too many investors will lose if prices go down and like Dale said, power, water, communications, health services etc all need to be improved before that happens....i don't see it happening too fast....I Hope!!!!

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nana nana nana nana fishing!!!

crasny1's picture

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Where are they going to get the extra Doctors needed from??

Wed, 2011-01-19 14:03

It is bloody hard to get anyone now to come up here as a Doc. To hot, to many flies, the cyclones are scary and every other excuse I have ever heard off to stay away from this place (and other country positions).

I think that Australian medical Schools need to teach the students to toughen up and go bush. At least then we can expand the places without a worry that we might not be able to get help when needed.

As for the fishing I am with Webby and Brucesta that it will suffer with more fishing pressure, but I am sure we would still be able to get out and get a feed, but we might have to settle for less reds and trout, and enjoy NW snapper more.

At the rate at which Baynton West have gone up there is still such a huge demand on housing and it hasnt made a dent on rentals.

It would be great to get some more services, but I left Mandurah because it became to much like a City.

Neels

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Brucesta's picture

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you'll just have to work more

Wed, 2011-01-19 15:19

you'll just have to work more Neels and less fishing time for you mate haha

Same can be said for other public servants, coppers, teachers, nurses, paramedics, firies.

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crasny1's picture

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Always find time to wet a line

Wed, 2011-01-19 15:38

Neels

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Faulkner Family's picture

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 K-City, just doesnt have the

Wed, 2011-01-19 22:47

 K-City, just doesnt have the same ring to it. i kave only ever been there twice and from what i saw it wasnt that bad. i would hate to see the place turn into a metropolis . 

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Brucesta's picture

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the shopping centre used to

Thu, 2011-01-20 12:35

the shopping centre used to be called Karratha City, damm that ad was catchy, seems they knew this was coming....

Just get Hungry Jacks here so i can die happy and Domino's too, while i'm at it a BCF and a Bunnings next door would be nice too

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Adam Gallash's picture

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haha

Thu, 2011-01-20 16:24

Glad I missed that, the adventure sports ad is bad enough.  You guys get HJ's and I might be up there every fortnight. :)

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Dicko's picture

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HJ's!!!

Thu, 2011-01-20 17:03

Good god if we get HJ's it'll be the death of me!!! I'm addicted to it!!!

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I remember when ROBE

Thu, 2011-01-20 15:08

I remember when ROBE retrenched a bunch of workers.  Prices dropped to $35000 for a house overnight.  Who would have thunk it then..

A sparky mate bought 5 houses just prior to the first expansion..

Hes now retired living in City beach..  Half his luck..

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Colin Hay's picture

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Did you have to remind me of that Saltatrix

Thu, 2011-01-20 16:55

I totally missed the boat on that one when I was there - that's why I'm still working and your mates living it up.

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tailor marc's picture

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 One thing i was worried for

Thu, 2011-01-20 15:45

 One thing i was worried for when my mate paid $700,000 for a fibro house uo there a few years back. I said to hi what happens if all the gas , iron ore etc finish up? What would you house be worth but he was saying that wouldnt happen. China just signed up for gas for the next 30 yrs 

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Colin Hay's picture

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And there's more to come there Marc

Thu, 2011-01-20 16:56

Looks like Exxon might be bringing its gas to the Burrup too now.

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Oh,   to be able to discuss

Sun, 2011-01-23 08:49

Oh,   to be able to discuss the price of houses in your home town,   we would love to be able to discuss the price of a house in Coral Bay,   still living in a caravan after 13 years and the town has been in discussion with governments about "affordable houses for workers" for some 17 years,  think yourself lucky guys that you have houses to live in and talk about!

Tony Halliday's picture

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http://au.news.yahoo.com/thew

Mon, 2011-01-24 08:49

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8698789/karratha-homes-cost-1million/

and the maddness goes on,

quote"

The dusty Karratha suburb of Nickol has become the first country suburb to crack the $1 million median house price mark as the emerging resources boom pushes prices sky-high."

 

how can this not be a bubble and how can it be sustained????

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Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~

 It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it

"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)

"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)

solly's picture

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still growing

Mon, 2011-01-24 09:31

I heard a rumour the other day that Pluto was sending all its workers fly/fo.There is still a huge demand for houses in this town but the cost of living still sux.more and more employers are taking the fly/fo track because its cheaper.Rio is in housing crisis ,woodside rostering to match fly/fo and new houses you still have to ballet for.Trying to get more tradies is impossible because we cant accomadate them so we get fly/fo backfills that could be with us for two years.This town has a long way to go to get to city stage as the infrustructure is in poor shape.Electrcity and water charges up alone will keep people away.As for local jobs there are plenty but they dont pay big money so its very tempory.The missus had her new assistant manager ring and quit this morning ,she was supposed to start her first day today .50k dosent cut it up here.Fishing already is slowing down but that why we get bigger boats

 

solly

 

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you can't polish a turd

Mon, 2011-01-24 16:22

but you can roll it in glitter.

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I'm concerned about the barra

Mon, 2011-01-31 14:21

I'm concerned about the barra population.
Imagine 30,000 new people in town. They all want to catch a barra, and sadly, most will say "I'm gonna eat it"
Mud crabs will be fished out, and to catch a decent size trout will mean a trip to the Montes. Bit sad for me.

Brucesta's picture

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i agree with the muddies but

Mon, 2011-01-31 14:52

i agree with the muddies but the barra and trout maybe not so much, as long as we keep the local secrets to catching them to ourselves we can let them fool around and hope for the best while we have our fun. i can only be optimistic here

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Bodie's picture

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It's kinda the way of life

Mon, 2011-01-31 14:57

It's kinda the way of life isnt it?

 

Cant stop a town from growing just for fish and crabs?

Trust me im on your side, but you cant stop population growth.

crasny1's picture

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Brucey Im with you

Mon, 2011-01-31 15:08

But then 3 yrs ago I came up and with no or little help have discovered my own secret spots for target species. Yet to crack a blue bone, but just not targetting them yet. It only took me about a year to ID spots but I keep them pretty close to heart and dont punish them.

I do go out at least once per weekend and have put the effort in, but I am by no means a gun fisho but love it and try and look after it.

I just hope the new locals can treat the place with the same respect.

Barra I am not sure off, trout would be OK but then any spearo is almost gauranteed to get one on the straight hook if they are vaguely in the right spot, and IMO shooting a trout is like not liking your mother in law -- a gimme.

As for the muddies I bloody find it hard NOW getting them, so whats the diff. Blueys easier and with their life span they will be around.

As long as we dont get blowies up here I will be happy, and so far after numerous efforts yet to land a NW blowie. Bless my lucky stars, but probably have just jinxed myself.

Neels

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