Fair Work boss happy with conditions

A visit to the Pilbara has left the boss of the building and construction industry’s regulatory body impressed with working conditions on projects in the Pilbara.

Fair Work Building and Construction chief executive Leigh Johns visited the region last week, touring BHP Billiton’s Nelson Point site at Port Hedland, the Gorgon Project at Barrow Island and the Sino Iron project at Cape Preston.

Mr Johns said while concerns about accommodation shortages for project workers had been raised with him a number of times, he was impressed with the condition of construction camps.

“We were heavily involved in disputes over the Pluto gas projects motel accommodation a few years ago, so it was good to come to the Pilbara and see the accommodation arrangements firsthand,” he said.

“Overall, I’ve been very impressed… the camp at the Gorgon project, for instance, was of a very high standard and the amenities seem to be at the top range of facilities available.

“There will always be concerns raised with us about accommodation in regions like this, but we’ve been happy with the options offered to workers.”

Mr Johns said it was very beneficial for someone from the Eastern States to come and see Pilbara projects to get a better grasp of the scale of development in the region.

“From an East Coast perspective, as the regulatory body, we understand intellectually what is happening here but it’s not until you see the sheer size of the construction that it dawns on you how amazing it is,” he said.