FAQs
City fringe site maximising economic benefit to Whyalla
Separation between the village and residential areas
Opportunity to deliver recreational facilities and improvements at Jubilee Park for the benefit of the community and the temporary workforce, which can be left for community use once the project is completed
Short amount of time required to construct the village.
Why do we need to build a temporary village?
While we are committed to maximising local employment opportunities, the magnitude and timeline of the project necessitate that some of the workforce will come from outside the Upper Spencer Gulf and therefore accommodation in Whyalla becomes essential.
Whyalla’s existing range of accommodation providers, which offer approximately 700 beds in total, traditionally experience high occupancy rates year-round largely due to demand from fly in, fly out (FIFO) and drive in, drive out (DIDO) industrial workforces and tourists.
We are proactively working to ensure the Hydrogen Jobs Plan construction workforce does not put a strain on local accommodation.
How many workers will there be on-site?
We are finalising the workforce profiling and scheduling, which will determine the number of workers required on-site during different stages of the facility’s construction. Efforts are underway to stagger or distribute the accommodation demand across the construction period, aiming to minimise the footprint required for the village.
Therefore, the village is likely to have an initial capacity of 380 beds, with options being considered to scale up capacity if required.
Where did the name Yoorla Garngoo come from?
Yoorla Garngoo, a Barngarla phrase translating to 'a resting place; camp; at home', was selected in partnership with an Elder of the local Barngarla community. This choice honours the traditional language and culture, recognising the significance of the place as a space for rest and belonging.
What are the benefits for the community?
The location adjacent to Jubilee Park was chosen due to it being on the city fringe, striking a balance between creating a self-contained village where workers can relax and socialise, and housing workers close enough to the city centre to feel part of the local community and enjoy the best Whyalla has to offer.
Having the Hydrogen Jobs Plan construction workforce housed in Whyalla will deliver an economic boost to local businesses, including hotels, restaurants and food outlets, retail stores and service providers.
With the influx of workers, local businesses can anticipate a significant uptick in new customers. Local sporting clubs and community organisations may also see an increase in membership and patronage as workers look to enrich their time in Whyalla.
Key benefits
What is being proposed to be built?
Yoorla Garngoo Village will feature quality residential facilities and is likely to have an initial capacity of 380 beds, with options to scale up capacity if required.
The village will consist of modern modular buildings that enable rapid mobilisation and significantly reduce onsite construction times. As plans progress, additional details about the village construction timeline and site works will be provided.
Visual appeal is a key consideration in the design process, with landscaping planned to help the village blend in with existing vegetation.
In addition to the modern accommodation, on-site services will likely include a gym, a dining facility, and other shared gathering spaces such as barbecue areas, a yarning circle and places for quiet reflection.
To ensure the health and wellbeing of the workforce, a range of recreational facilities will also be required. These could include a fitness park with running track and/or outdoor gym facilities.
The proposed village’s proximity to Jubilee Park presents an opportunity to improve the current recreational facility offering at Jubilee Park for shared use between the community and the construction workforce, should the community support this approach.
When will Yoorla Garngoo Village be built?
Construction of Yoorla Garngoo Village is expected to begin in late 2024.
The village will be occupied for approximately 18 months or until the Hydrogen Jobs Plan facility is constructed and operational.
Why on Lot 6537 Jenkins Avenue?
A comprehensive evaluation process was conducted to select a suitable site for constructing the modern, purpose-built Yoorla Garngoo Village. Sites in and around Whyalla were assessed, considering factors such as community impact, compatibility with surrounding land uses, environmental concerns and access to services.
The chosen location for the village is Lot 6537 Jenkins Avenue (as described in Crown Record Volume 5754 Folio 342), an empty plot adjacent to Jenkins Avenue and north of Jubilee Park in Whyalla Stuart. Access to the village is expected to be via Jenkins Avenue, between Club Italico and Jubilee Park.
While the exact size of the village is yet to be determined, it is anticipated it will occupy an area of 10 to 15 hectares.
Currently, the proposed site is managed by Whyalla City Council as community land. To proceed with the proposed development, the State Government will revoke the dedication for the small portion of land adjacent to Jubilee Park required for the village.
Jubilee Park will remain open for the public’s continued use and enjoyment throughout the project.
Why not permanent housing?
With construction of the Hydrogen Jobs Plan facility scheduled to begin in late 2024 and gain pace in early 2025, we need to ensure we have quality accommodation available to attract a construction workforce of up to 1000 people by this time.
It is a priority of the Office of Hydrogen Power SA that the accommodation housing the construction workforce leaves a legacy that benefits the Whyalla community where possible.
Legacy accommodation solutions are already under way with an initial 32 high-quality cabins to be built at Discovery Parks’ Whyalla Foreshore Caravan and Holiday Park and a proposed initial 50 high-quality cabins to be built by Upper Spencer Gulf business Bentley’s Cabin Parks. These cabins will accommodate the earliest Hydrogen Jobs Plan workforce, and will create extra accommodation capacity in Whyalla that tourists and other construction workforces can use for years to come.
The Government of South Australia, including Renewal SA’s Office for Regional Housing, the Department of Transport and Infrastructure’s Planning and Land Use Services, and the Department for Environment and Water's Crown Lands team, is working to identify parcels of government-owned land suitable for future housing development, creating additional supply to meet Whyalla’s future housing needs.
