Opposition Leader Shane Love urges Kalbarri workers accommodation works to begin after six months wait

The Opposition is asking why “nothing has been done” six months on since the State Government announced a preferred proponent to construct a multi-user workforce accommodation facility in Kalbarri.

Member for North West Central Merome Beard and Opposition Leader and Moore MLA Shane Love travelled through the Mid West and assessed the empty site on Woods Street in Kalbarri.

Mr Love said despite claims the State Government would enter contract negotiations with Perth-based Petra Westkey, the work was yet to get off the ground.

“Nothing has actually happened there and yet we see businesses under stress in Kalbarri because they can’t get workers and there’s nowhere to put their workers when they can get them,” he said.

“I think the Government needs to address this urgently and actually get on and make that deal and ensure that the site is delivered.”

Mr Love said support was critical while Kalbarri continued to wear the damage from cyclone Seroja and with parts of the town still awaiting repair.

“We know that there was a record amount of money devoted towards cyclone Seroja, everywhere from Kalbarri right through to the Central Wheatbelt for those communities that were affected, and only a fraction of that is actually rolled out on the ground,” he said.

“Nothing’s been done to address those key issues such as the worker situation in Kalbarri.”

Petra Westkey’s submission proposed the construction of a 44-dwelling, 56-person capacity accommodation facility, which will consist of prefabricated modular dwellings constructed in Wangara and transported to Kalbarri.

The site is centrally located within walking distance of several amenities in Kalbarri including the shopping centre, hospitality, the beach and recreational facilities.