Temporary workers’ camps for Borumba avoids pressure on local housing while delivering safety and comfort for workers.
Workers will be housed in state-of-the-art temporary workers’ camps to mitigate pressure on housing availability.
- Construction on two temporary workers’ accommodation camps for the $14.2 billion Borumba Pumped Hydro Project is set to commence after a contract was signed today in Brisbane.
- Queensland Hydro has awarded Decmil the $111 million package to design and construct two state-of-the-art temporary camps.
- Avoiding pressure on local housing while delivering safety and comfort for workers is a win for Queensland communities and Queensland workers.
- A staged approach to delivery of both camps will allow for steady, sustainable growth of the workforce over the Borumba Project’s two-year exploratory works phase.
Workers on Queensland’s $14.2 billion Borumba Pumped Hydro Project will be housed in state-of-the-art temporary workers’ camps to mitigate pressure on housing availability in the townships near the 2,000 MW pumped hydro energy storage project, located west of the Sunshine Coast.
Early planning by Queensland Hydro identified temporary camps would provide a safe working environment by drastically reducing potential commute times for workers, assisting with fatigue management, and reducing hundreds of vehicle movements each day.
Queensland Hydro has awarded a contract totalling approximately $111 million to engineering and construction company Decmil, a wholly owned subsidiary of Macmahon Holdings Limited (ASX:MAH). The scope of works includes the design and construction of two temporary camps on cleared, freehold land on the Borumba Project site. Decmil has a successful history of delivering civil infrastructure projects across Australia including several camps and accommodation projects.
The best practice camps will be able to house up to 336 workers per camp, with each location containing a wellness room, gym facility, running track, social room and laundry facilities, making workers on one of Queensland’s most important infrastructure projects feel right at home.
Initial construction will see two camps built to accommodate the immediate needs of the workforce, before the two temporary workers’ accommodation camps will be constructed at the same locations. This staged approach to delivery ensures impacts on the community can be reduced now and into the future as the workforce grows.
Last year, the Queensland Coordinator-General issued a works regulation directing Queensland Hydro to construct the temporary workers’ accommodation camps. The direction aligns with Queensland Hydro’s Social Impact Management Plan, which is being developed with the community and prioritises minimisation of housing impacts.
Quotes from Queensland Hydro CEO Kieran Cusack:
“Decmil has extensive design and construction experience on large infrastructure projects, and we are excited to be working together to design and construct the home away from home for our project’s workforce. We want what is best for them when they are away from home working, and best for the community.
“Queensland Hydro is aware of the potential impacts a project of this scale could have on regional communities. In developing our plans, we respect these communities and we are taking the lessons from other projects to ensure we are good neighbours.
“By housing as many workers as possible in these camps, we’ll be reducing the need for workers to occupy homes or other accommodation within the regions near our project. It will also minimise traffic impacts from vehicles travelling to and from the project site.”
Quotes from Macmahon CEO and Managing Director Michael Finnegan:
“We are pleased to secure this new, strategically aligned work and look forward to continue building our relationship with both the Queensland Hydro team and the broader community as we deliver the new workers’ accommodation at the Borumba Project.
“Accelerating growth in our civil infrastructure business is a priority for Macmahon and a key component in creating a more scalable and diversified business.”
ENDS
Media contacts:
Queensland Hydro: [email protected]
First published 17 September 2024.