A long way from dongas of the past
16/10/2009
The Courier Mail
Michelle Hele
Accommodation for those working in the mining industry in remote locations has come a long way from the traditional donga.
MAC Services Group, which provides accommodation to the mining, construction and resources industries, has just launched its latest village in central Queensland for the mining industry, but with all the mod cons.
The $85 million Coppabella Accommodation Village, about 150km west of Mackay houses more than 1600 accommodation cabins.
It is built on a 40ha site and has resort-style facilities.
There are multi-function courts for tennis, basketball and volleyball, a lap and swimming pool, running track, fully equipped gym and access to the bar, restaurant and convenient store.
The aim of the village is to service fly-in, fly-out workforces for surrounding mines.
The MAC CEO Mark Maloney said the group bought the site about five years ago with the plan to provide something different to what was currently on offer.
"What we were thinking as that there were going to be a number of mines in that area and there was no real supporting infrastructure in that area," he said.
"We basically bought it, (the land) had it rezoned and built it from scratch, over the last three years.
"We saw a real gap in the market to improve people’s lifestyle and quality of living."
Plans are under way to build more facilities in Queensland, including Gladstone, to service the liquefied natural gas industry.
In the village each cabin has an ensuite, air-conditioning, wireless internet, fridge and television.
Mr Maloney said the concept came about in response to the changing needs of the mining workforce.
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