Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel approves major expansion of Collie Hills Accommodation Village

Plans to more than double the size of a workers’ camp and tourism development in Collie have received the green light.

The Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel unanimously approved a 488-room expansion of the Collie Hills Accommodation Village last week.

It is a major increase in the size of the Collie-Williams Road development, which currently has 200 rooms available alongside amenities.

In its presentation, developer Numans Accommodation Villages highlighted several major projects in the area, including Synergy’s mega battery and Green Steel’s proposed mill, which could be put at risk if there were not suitable options for workers.

The company said accommodation demand in Collie “will be significantly higher than current availability” and the increased demand was expected to continue for several years.

Alongside the additional rooms, upgraded facilities and a new wastewater treatment plant have also been approved.

In its reasons for approving the project, the JDAP determined the development had a small footprint of 15ha within an 80ha block, which remained mostly agricultural.

The panel also determined there was adequate fire management in place for the proposal.

Only two submissions were received during the public consultation period — one for the development, and one against it.

Changes were made to the approval at the meeting requiring a workforce management plan to be put in place and approved by the Shire of Collie council, which will deal with matters including the expansion’s potential impacts and how complaints are dealt with.