❓ McGowan questions the Premier about the signing of a new lease for BHP's Kurra Village workers' camp renewal near Newman. The Premier confirms the lease extension will be signed, as the state has a statutory obligation under the original Iron Ore (Mount Newman) Agreement Act 1964.
AnsweredQoN 924Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
KURRA VILLAGE — NEWMAN — WORKERS'
CAMP RENEWAL
924. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Kurra workers'
camp renewal for BHP near Newman.
(1) Will the new
lease be signed off by the Minister for Lands under the terms agreed to by the
Premier and BHP?
(2) If yes to (1), when?
CAMP RENEWAL
924. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the Kurra workers'
camp renewal for BHP near Newman.
(1) Will the new
lease be signed off by the Minister for Lands under the terms agreed to by the
Premier and BHP?
(2) If yes to (1), when?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) Kurra
Village in Newman was given approval back in 2004, obviously by the previous
government, to be the size of 1 000 rooms. Extensions were then granted in 2006
and 2008. The current number of beds, if you like, or rooms, is 1 600. BHP,
under its state agreement, has the right to do that, and that was all done
according to how it should be. I understand the argument that is made and I
would like to see more workers living locally in townships around the mines
rather than fly in, fly out. However, it is a matter of choice for individuals.
There have been discussions and I have been involved in them.
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mirrabooka!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
BHP's current proposal is to reduce the number of beds at Kurra
Village, or the number of rooms, to 1 200, and to refurbish them at a cost of
around $130 million. Two local firms, one Western Australian and one
Newman-based, have already been contracted to do the first $40 million of that
work, and that will get underway.
The point I would make, in addition to that, is that of the
current BHP employees—this is just in Newman, not Port Hedland—there
are 500 fly in, fly out workers, and there are 750 workers who live in Newman
permanently; so, 750 live in Newman, and 550 are fly in, fly out. So, The
majority live in the town, and I would hope that figure would progressively
increase over time.
With respect to the specific question from the Leader of the
Opposition, BHP is entitled under the original Iron Ore (Mount Newman)
Agreement Act 1964 to have village accommodation like that, and there have been
various forms over the years. Under the previous government, that right to
build Kurra Village was granted, quite properly, and extended on two occasions.
BHP is entitled to a lease extension under the state agreement, and, indeed,
the state has a statutory obligation to sign that lease extension. So, it will
be signed.
Village in Newman was given approval back in 2004, obviously by the previous
government, to be the size of 1 000 rooms. Extensions were then granted in 2006
and 2008. The current number of beds, if you like, or rooms, is 1 600. BHP,
under its state agreement, has the right to do that, and that was all done
according to how it should be. I understand the argument that is made and I
would like to see more workers living locally in townships around the mines
rather than fly in, fly out. However, it is a matter of choice for individuals.
There have been discussions and I have been involved in them.
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mirrabooka!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
BHP's current proposal is to reduce the number of beds at Kurra
Village, or the number of rooms, to 1 200, and to refurbish them at a cost of
around $130 million. Two local firms, one Western Australian and one
Newman-based, have already been contracted to do the first $40 million of that
work, and that will get underway.
The point I would make, in addition to that, is that of the
current BHP employees—this is just in Newman, not Port Hedland—there
are 500 fly in, fly out workers, and there are 750 workers who live in Newman
permanently; so, 750 live in Newman, and 550 are fly in, fly out. So, The
majority live in the town, and I would hope that figure would progressively
increase over time.
With respect to the specific question from the Leader of the
Opposition, BHP is entitled under the original Iron Ore (Mount Newman)
Agreement Act 1964 to have village accommodation like that, and there have been
various forms over the years. Under the previous government, that right to
build Kurra Village was granted, quite properly, and extended on two occasions.
BHP is entitled to a lease extension under the state agreement, and, indeed,
the state has a statutory obligation to sign that lease extension. So, it will
be signed.
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