The red earth of Karratha is seeing the stir of shovels and scaffolding once more, as 31 homes are now under construction thanks to a push by Perdaman, backed by the State Government. The effort is part of a broader plan to build 100 homes over the next five years, a move that speaks to both the demand for housing in the Pilbara and the long-term vision for local workforce development tied to the $7 billion Karratha urea project.
This isn’t just bricks and mortar going up for the sake of it. The homes will house workers who are living and working in Karratha, supporting the idea of a stable, localised workforce. No fly-in, fly-out set-up here—Perdaman’s approach is clearly geared towards creating a community of residents rather than rotating labourers.
The housing project has been made possible through the release of land by the State Government via DevelopmentWA. Last year, 85 lots were sold to Perdaman and another 15 to the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation in the suburb of Baynton West. The homes being built now are the first wave of that land release being turned into places to live.
Perdaman is using local builders for the job, a nod to the broader economic impact the development is set to deliver. For tradies in Karratha and surrounding areas, that’s years of work coming down the pipeline. The homes themselves will directly support the ongoing development of Project Ceres—the grandly named urea project that’s poised to diversify the region’s economy beyond its existing industrial base.
For the Cook Government, the initiative ticks several boxes. It ties in with the broader commitment to ensure every Western Australian has a place to call home, but also ties into a larger vision for the Pilbara. It’s about jobs, infrastructure, and keeping the region’s economic engine humming. Karratha’s development is being framed not just as a local need, but as part of the state’s strategic outlook.
Premier Roger Cook has made it clear that the project plays into the government’s drive to make regional WA liveable and economically sustainable. Having a place to live is one thing, but the emphasis here is on also creating an environment where people want to stay, build careers, and raise families. Cook has repeatedly stressed that his government is not easing off the pedal when it comes to housing.
There’s a broader context to this project too. Beyond the 100 homes for workers, DevelopmentWA is preparing even more land for general use. Planning is already underway for Stage 3 of the Madigan development at Baynton West, which is expected to deliver around 400 more residential lots. There’s even provision being made for a childcare centre and a new primary school—further signs that the vision for Karratha isn’t short-term or transactional.
Add to that the 199 residential lots expected at Mulataga, underwritten by a $22.1 million grant from the Federal Government. The City of Karratha is partnering on that project, which is scheduled to start construction later this year. While these numbers are big, the intention behind them seems to be about making the population sustainable—more houses, more services, and stronger community fabric.
The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation’s involvement in the land sales also reflects efforts to work more inclusively with Indigenous stakeholders. While their specific construction plans haven’t been detailed yet, the inclusion of their 15 lots in Baynton West is worth watching as the development progresses.
There’s more on the drawing board too. DevelopmentWA is eyeing other types of housing to suit varied needs, including grouped housing, retirement living, and denser urban-style developments in the region. That kind of variety is important when building a community that caters to all ages and life stages, from singles working in industry to families putting down roots and retirees who want to stay connected to the town they know.
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel sees the project as a double win—meeting housing needs while backing job-generating industrial development. For a region like Pilbara, where infrastructure has often struggled to keep pace with economic growth, that kind of synchronisation is essential. Michel’s remarks reflect a sense of pride that the government is putting its weight behind both people and projects in tandem.
Vikas Rambal, Chairman of Perdaman, has emphasised the role the housing plays in their broader strategy. With Project Vesta and Project Ceres underway, this isn’t just a side initiative—it’s integral to getting the larger industrial machine running. Rambal’s framing of the housing as essential to delivering their urea project is telling. They aren’t just ticking the ‘corporate social responsibility’ box. This is strategic housing tied to business outcomes, and that creates a strong incentive to get it right.
Rambal also underlined that the homes will support a non-FIFO workforce, and that’s a statement that sets this project apart. FIFO has long been the default for resource-heavy regions like the Pilbara, but it comes with social and economic downsides. Long-term residents are more likely to invest in their community, support local schools and businesses, and contribute to the civic life of a place. There’s a ripple effect when workers live where they work, and that’s clearly a part of the bet being placed on Karratha.
Community stability, economic diversification, and local job creation aren’t new goals for regional development, but what sets this project apart is how directly housing has been linked to industrial planning. Too often, housing comes as an afterthought once a boom is underway. Here, it seems to be baked into the front end of the project. With plans for childcare centres, schools and retirement options also moving forward, there’s a clearer sense that Karratha’s growth is being mapped out with a broader demographic in mind.
It’s not hard to see why the state government is throwing its support behind the project. The long-term upside is significant. A steady stream of local building contracts keeps construction workers employed. More homes mean less pressure on the current rental market, which in places like Karratha can be notoriously tight and expensive. As the economy diversifies with the urea project, the community becomes more than just a stopover for workers chasing mining paychecks.
The story here is one of coordination—between government, business, and local stakeholders—working off the same page to make regional growth stick. It’s not without its challenges, but with boots on the ground and concrete being poured, this is more than a planning document. It’s progress in action, and it’s happening street by street.
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🏠31 homes underway in #Karratha as part of #Perdaman's 100-home plan for #urea project workers.🏗️ State & federal govts back local construction to create permanent community (no FIFO).📈 Incl Indigenous land & future schools/childcare. #TheIndianSun
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) May 6, 2025
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