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Timelines set for Onslow transformation
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Major community infrastructure projects to be delivered
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Opportunities for local jobs, contracts
The State Government has today announced the expected delivery timelines for major social and critical infrastructure projects in the Pilbara town of Onslow.
Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett said the majority of the projects would be delivered over the next three to four years by the State Government, the Shire of Ashburton and Chevron Australia.
“Almost a dozen State agencies are involved in delivering these projects to ensure that the Onslow community directly benefits from major nearby projects like the Wheatstone and Macedon natural gas developments,” Mr Barnett said.
Key projects include a new hospital, a swimming pool, a shire administration centre, an all-weather access road into town, an airport terminal and runway, government workers housing, a power station and a water plant.
“Onslow is a small and geographically isolated town, and together these projects will improve liveability and help ease some of the challenges associated with the increase in population due to major resource developments,” the Premier said.
The Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project has committed more than $250 million towards new and improved infrastructure in Onslow. The State Government, through various agencies, is contributing about $70 million, including $10 million from the Royalties for Regions Pilbara Cities Initiative into the Onslow Community Development Fund.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said Royalties for Regions was investing in social and critical infrastructure projects, through the Pilbara Cities Initiative, to improve the quality of life in Onslow and surrounding towns.
“There has been a huge investment into the region and I am looking forward to seeing the town and the region flourish,” Mr Redman said.
Chevron Australia Wheatstone Project general manager Eric Dunning said much work had been done behind the scenes to plan and design infrastructure upgrades and new facilities in Onslow.
Mr Dunning said Chevron was responsible for constructing the new power station and water plant, as well as 50 new houses for its residential workforce in Barrarda Estate.
The State Government is managing Chevron’s contributions to the remaining projects, which will help to improve the social, health and economic outlook of the town.
“The Wheatstone Project will operate for many decades to come, so we are proud to be contributing to Onslow’s vibrant future,” Mr Dunning said.
BHP Billiton, which recently completed the nearby Macedon domestic gas project, is also contributing $5 million toward a basketball centre and skate park in Onslow, both to be delivered in late 2015.
Fact File
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Onslow’s population is expected to grow from 1,000 to more than 2,000 by 2022
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The $29b Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project is under construction about 12km from Onslow. It is a joint venture between Chevron Australia (operator) and Australian subsidiaries of Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company, Apache Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power Company, together with PE Wheatstone Pty Ltd (part owned by TEPCO)
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The Onslow Community Development Fund was established by the State Government and Chevron Australia to support other community projects
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The $1.5 billion Macedon domestic gas project was officially opened in 2013, and has a production capacity of 200 terajoules per day. BHP Billiton’s joint venture partner for the project is Apache Corporation
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