This was in yesterdays Observer...IF THERE IS one thing the...

This was in yesterdays Observer...

IF THERE IS one thing the Gladstone region needs desperately, it is accommodation for workers.

A new workers village could be on the cards at Targinie.

Gladstone Regional Council approved a development application for a 405-room workers village on Forest Rd in Targinie on Tuesday.

The council rejected an application to build a 1017-room on the site last year.

The vote yesterday was far from unanimous, with some councillors voting against the application because of its proximity to QER shale oil plant.

However, most councillors agreed the distance was acceptable and there was no guarantee QER would become fully operational within the lifetime of the workers village.

While the council's approval will be seen as good news, there is no guarantee the project will go ahead, as the owners will examine the approval and any conditions placed on the project.

As far as council was aware, the applicant had not secured a tenant for the accommodation, although that would seem a mere formality, given the pressures on housing.

Some councillors speculated that the nearby steel mill to be built by Boulder Steel could be an obvious target.