B&J Catalano proposes 101-person Tredrea Village workforce accommodation development near Myalup quarry

A 101-person workers accommodation facility could be built next to a Myalup limestone quarry under a proposal out for public comment.

Transport and earthmoving company B&J Catalano is wanting to construct a 101-unit facility on Tredrea Place to provide living facilities for the same number of workers.

In a report submitted to the Shire of Harvey by planning firm Allerding and Associates, the Brunswick Junction-based business is said to be facing “additional pressures” to find employees to service the appetite for significant projects in the region.

“The capacity to service that growth in the South West has required B & J Catalano to source employment during construction operation from beyond the local pool of regional employees to attracting workers from the Perth Metropolitan Region and the Eastern States,” the report said.

“The demand for labour for construction management and infrastructure projects has resulted in particular challenges in both attracting and accommodating that labour.”

Under the proposed Tredrea Village proposal, all units will be self-contained and will be built alongside some shared facilities including a recreation room and multi-purpose courts.

The site is planned to be self sufficient for electricity through a solar and battery storage system, with water from an existing bore to be treated to provide a drinkable supply.

Water tanks for fire-fighting purposes will be constructed, and wastewater is planned to be dealt with on site.

Company workers are set to commute to their worksites by bus in the early morning and be returned following their shifts.

No trees on the site are planned to be removed as part of the development, which is designed to be “temporary”.

The proposal is only 3km north of where Albemarle was planning to build its 500-bed facility in Binningup before it was axed in June due to a “difficult” development timeframe.

The Joint Development Assessment Panel will have the final say on whether the project can progress.

Public submissions on the proposal close on August 11.

To provide feedback, visit haveyoursay.harvey.wa.gov.au.