New Hydrogen Jobs Plan village to energise Whyalla’s economy

20 May 2024

Mayor Phill Stone is encouraging the community and local business owners to take advantage of the State Government’s current engagement regarding its proposed temporary village to accommodate workers for its Hydrogen Jobs Plan.

The government has just launched a YourSay page, seeking feedback on how the local economy and community can best benefit from the village, which is proposed to be located on vacant land adjacent to Jenkins Avenue and north of Jubilee Park in Whyalla Stuart.

The city fringe location aims to strike a balance between creating a self-contained village and housing workers close enough to the city centre to deliver an economic boost to local businesses. Importantly, the proposed development will not impact community access to Jubilee Park, which will remain open for continued public use and enjoyment.

Mayor Phill Stone said this next stage demonstrates the State Government is committed to delivering the project, while also seeking to maximise benefits for the community

“If you’re a local business owner, this is your opportunity to get in at the ground floor of the most significant project for our city this century. They’re going to need a multitude of services to cater for the large workforce, so it could be a chance to grow your business and capitalise on unprecedented demand.

“I also encourage all residents to check out the survey and ensure you have your say to help influence various aspects of the village."

The government’s YourSay page is now open, so be sure to check it out and contribute to the conversation. You can read the full government announcement below. Should you have any queries, please direct them to OHPSA.Enquiries@sa.gov.au, or visit the hydrogen office at the Westland Shopping Centre.

State Government Release

The Malinauskas Labor Government’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan is set to bring benefits to the Whyalla community, creating significant economic opportunities and supporting local businesses.

As the project takes an important step forward, the Whyalla community is invited to have their say on a proposed temporary village that will accommodate workers building this world-leading hydrogen facility.

The Hydrogen Jobs Plan - a hydrogen production, power plant and storage facility near Whyalla - is expected to create around 1000 jobs during construction. This influx of workers will boost local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, retail stores and service providers, fostering economic growth and vibrancy in the community. Local sporting clubs and community organisations also stand to benefit from increases in membership and patronage as workers look to engage with the community during their time in Whyalla.

The modern, purpose-built Yoorla Garngoo Village is proposed to be located on vacant land adjacent to Jenkins Avenue and north of Jubilee Park in Whyalla Stuart. The proposed location was identified through a comprehensive evaluation process, considering factors such as community impact, compatibility with surrounding land uses, environmental concerns and access to services.

The city fringe location strikes a balance between creating a self-contained village, and housing workers close enough to the city centre to deliver an economic boost to local businesses. Importantly, the proposed development will not impact community access to Jubilee Park, which will remain open for continued public use and enjoyment.

The Yoorla Garngoo Village will initially offer 380 beds, with an option to scale up capacity if required. The village will feature modern amenities, including a gym, dining facility and shared gathering spaces like barbecue areas and a yarning circle, a traditional Aboriginal meeting place for storytelling and gathering.

Yoorla Garngoo, a Barngarla phrase meaning "a resting place; camp; at home" was chosen in partnership with a local Barngarla Elder, honouring the traditional language and culture of the Barngarla people.

Work is continuing to finalise the workforce profiling and scheduling, determining the number of workers required during at different stages of construction and managing accommodation demand effectively.

Yoorla Garngoo Village will complement the permanent legacy accommodation solutions announced by the State Government in February, including the expansion of Discovery Parks’ Whyalla Foreshore Caravan and Holiday Park and a new offering from Bentley’s Cabin Parks at Kloeden Reserve.

Public consultation is open on YourSAy until Monday, 10 June 2024. Community can share their thoughts by completing a short survey or providing a submission.

Community information sessions will be held in the Westland Shopping Centre Food Court on Thursday, 30 May from 10am to 7pm, and Friday, 31 May from 9am to 5pm. The community is encouraged to drop by at any time to ask questions, view the village site map and share their ideas.

Your feedback is crucial in ensuring that Yoorla Garngoo Village not only meets the needs of the project, but also contributes positively to the community.

Have your say by visiting yoursay.sa.gov.au/hydrogen-jobs-plan-accommodation.

Quotes attributable to Tom Koutsantonis

The Hydrogen Jobs Plan will help shape the Upper Spencer Gulf’s future. We want to see as many local people employed to work on the project as possible but, of course, the scale of the project means some of the workforce will come from outside the region, so it is crucial that we plan thoughtfully for the accommodation needs of the workforce.

Housing the Hydrogen Jobs Plan construction workforce in Whyalla will deliver an economic boost to local businesses.

The community’s input will be crucial in ensuring that Yoorla Garngoo Village not only meets the needs of the Hydrogen Jobs Plan project, but also contributes positively to the fabric of Whyalla.

Quotes attributable to Eddie Hughes MP, Member for Giles

I welcome the public consultation process around the proposed temporary accommodation for the hydrogen jobs plan workforce and i encourage everyone to have their say.

This is another positive step in what will be a significant development for our city. The location of the temporary accommodation has been carefully chosen to maximise the benefits for the Whyalla community and businesses while minimising impact on existing residential areas.