New school planned for Madigan

A new primary school is on the cards for Karratha as part of updated plans for the next stage of the Madigan estate. Situated just minutes from the Karratha city centre, Madigan in Baynton was designed with the goal of modern living and Pilbara suited housing designs, when Stage 1 land was released in 2012. A five-home display village was opened in 2014, showcasing examples of the design guidelines for prospective homebuilders. DevelopmentWA chief executive Frank Marra said the structure plan was being adjusted to provide a new primary school for the city. “We have commenced consultation with the City of Karratha and the Department of Education to include a Primary School Site in Stage 2 of the Madigan estate,” he said. Mr Marra said amending the structure plan to include a primary school would take about four to six months, and the development of Stage 2 would proceed based on market conditions. “There are 28 homes in the estate, and we have currently have 23 lots available at prices starting from $119,000 for 340sqm up to $205,000 for 650sqm,” he said. “The estate is about 20 per cent completed, and DevelopmentWA has the capacity to release another 60 lots at short notice if demand increases.” LJ Hooker director Rachel Ross said there was renewed interest in the area, and they had moved seven lots of land this year. “We’ve had some very affordable house and land packages, and we are getting them away now,” she said. “It’s very difficult to get anything over 450sqm in Karratha, so people are looking at the other blocks as alternatives. Ms Ross said interest had spiked since the recent housing grants by both Federal and State governments were announced, giving home buyers a possible $45,000 funding boost. The estate can deliver another 600 lots.