The State Government has 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.


Member for North West Central Vince Catania, Member for Mining and Pastoral Mark Lewis, Shire of Ashburton President Kerry White, Wheatstone Project General Manager Eric Dunning, Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett, Department of State Development Deputy Director General Giles Nunis, and Shire of Ashburton chief executive Neil Hartley at the event in Onslow.

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.

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.
 “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.

The Premier confirmed that Onslow would receive a new hospital, funded by Chevron Australia and the State Government.

Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett announced the $41.8 million Onslow Hospital and health service redevelopment would provide an improved and expanded emergency department, modern inpatient rooms, better access to specialists via Telehealth video-conferencing and a secure mental health assessment room.
 
“The population of Onslow is set to grow to almost 2,000 by 2022, as a result of nearby resources developments, and the State Government is committed to providing outstanding health care for local residents,” Mr Barnett said.

“Chevron Australia is contributing $22 million towards the health services upgrade.”

The hospital is due to be finished in 2018.

While in Onslow, Mr Barnett also announced that the State Government had approved the allocation of $13 million to complete work on the Onslow Airport Redevelopment Project.

Onslow Major Projects Map - December 2014