Katanning’s Ausgold mine workforce accommodation at Lot 101 Crosby Street open for community comment

Construction of a purpose-built workforce accommodation in the heart of Katanning that will house more than 300 employees of a new gold mine is open for public comment.

The Shire of Katanning published a notice of advertisement on March 11 seeking approval to transform Lot 101 Crosby Street into a workforce accommodation village for the Ausgold Katanning gold project mine.

The vacant 6.182ha lot is located on the western fringe of the Katanning townsite bounded by Henry and Crosby streets, and the Great Southern Highway about 40km from the gold mine north-east of the town in Badgebup.

The 68.78ha gold mine is forecast to begin operation in mid-2026 following a final investment decision, with an expected delivery of the first gold production target in late 2027.

The accommodation will house the gold mine workforce on a drive-in, drive-out arrangement — a system the Ausgold development plan states will alleviate pressure on the local housing market.

The village will be developed across two stages, the first comprising 63 single-storey pods including four individual rooms, and one module with two double rooms, initially housing 254 people in late 2026.

The second build will add 24 modules with a total of 96 rooms to accommodate an anticipated 350 workforce load in 2027.

The village will also provide communal facilities, a carpark for workers, ambulances and trucks, bus stops and a loading dock, with about 35m suggested as a buffer between development and neighbouring private lots.

To soften the views from adjoining properties and the public, the site will be landscaped with planting along the site edges.

A community information session held on March 18 at the Katanning Country Club had 14 community attendees plus council, shire and Ausgold representatives.

Shire president Kristy D’Aprile said community feedback was positive with most questions regarding the visual and logistics of the build which Ausgold answered and provided a detailed plan.

“There’s a positive anticipation for the construction project and on Ausgold’s timeframe we’ll see something before the end of this year,” Cr D’Aprile said.

“There’s a lot of positive consideration around the financial opportunities for our community small businesses to service the gold mine and the employees.”

She said that the landscaping efforts Ausgold described will improve the west entrance into Katanning and “residents’ quality of living” by activating a previously unused site.

She said the development would install streetlights and footpaths, give better access to the Katanning Leisure Centre and the area as a whole.

Cr D’Aprile said at the lease’s conclusion, the shire and Ausgold would negotiate on the facility’s use, including permanent local residences.

Comments on the proposal are now invited and can be emailed to admin@katanning.wa.gov.au or posted to the shire executive officer at PO Box 130 KATANNING WA 6317, by 5pm April 3.