City of Karratha councillors approve motion to invite tenders for proposed Walgu Apartments

Plans to develop vacant land opposite the Red Earth Arts Precinct into an apartment building to address Karratha’s housing shortage have moved a step closer. At last week’s meeting, City of Karratha councillors approved a motion to invite tenders for the architectural design and lead consultant for the Lot 7020 project, the City-fund plan for apartments at Walgu Park. The proposed $55 million development will include 97 apartments and business spaces. It will also include community facilities, such as a museum, art gallery, Indigenous interpretive centre and tourism centre. An officer’s report stated the financial risk of the project was high with funding of about $55-65m to come from City reserves and borrowings from Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility or WA Treasury Corporation. Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the facility would have a variety of housing options from one-bedroom to three-bedroom options. Mr Long said the rental income from the apartments would pay for the loan. “We want to commence in October 2022 and have completion by December 2023,” he said. “That gives 10 months to do detailed design and architectural drawings and go for tenders.”