Ichthys LNG Project completes Manigurr-ma Village

The INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project today announced the completion of its Accommodation Village at Howard Springs near Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Named Manigurr-ma Village after the Larrakia name for the Stringybark tree, the village will provide a home for up to 3,500 Project personnel during peak construction.

Developed in four stages, Manigurr-ma Village officially opened its doors to residents in September 2013 with a ceremony attended by more than 100 guests, including Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles, Larrakia elders and neighbouring residents. Currently, more than 1,000 members of the Project’s construction workforce are living in the village.

Managing Director Ichthys LNG Project Louis Bon said the completion of Manigurr-ma Village meant the Project was well-prepared and on schedule for the next phase of construction on the onshore facilities in Darwin.

“Manigurr-ma Village was designed to provide a safe, comfortable and relaxed second home for one important part of our workforce – temporary fly-in, fly-out construction personnel - expected to peak in 2014-2015,” Mr Bon said.

“We wanted a village that would foster a sense of community and a happier, healthier workforce, and reduce pressure on community services by providing accommodation, food, security, social and recreational outlets, health and other services.”

The 67 hectare village includes a 50-seat cinema, swimming pool, library, outdoor beach volleyball court, cardio and spin room, gym, 2,700 metre running track, music room, basketball and tennis courts, cricket nets, internet room, tavern, shop and more. A twenty-four hour medical centre alleviates pressure on public health services and cuts unnecessary emergency call-outs.

Comprehensive planning for Manigurr-ma Village started after Darwin was first considered as a location for the Project’s onshore LNG facilities in 2008. Environmental, social, health and traffic impact assessments were completed and community consultation and engagement has been extensive.

Mr Bon said that around 60 per cent of the capital expenditure for Manigurr-ma Village had been spent on local contracts.

“NT based businesses have undertaken a wide range of works - everything from fencing to fire detection and alarm systems,” Mr Bon said.

“Around 95 per cent of the village construction workforce was from the Territory. And of the operational staff from ESS-Larrakia, 85 per cent are local and 12 per cent are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.”

At full operation the village will employ about 200 management and maintenance staff, including security guards, landscapers, gardeners, cleaners, caterers, kitchen and laundry staff, bus drivers, administration officers and medical specialists.