BHP will spend $100 million over the next 10 years to improve and upgrade our housing stock in Newman.

Housing Manager Katie Hilless said the investment includes increasing the quality of our houses for residential employees through refurbishment programs as well as creating more opportunities for social value with our community through donations and leases.   

“We know that a major consideration for people moving into regional towns is the accommodation they are able to access,” Katie said.

“Newman is a fantastic place to live and work and we want to do more to encourage more people to make this great town home.”

The housing programme will see fifty homes in Newman refurbished in FY21 and a further 650 refurbishments over the next 10 years to modernise the designs and amenities for current day lifestyles.

This includes adding bathrooms, sheds and patios to existing homes as well.

BHP’s Principal Community Sue Michoff said the Company’s ability to fill, donate or repurpose housing in Newman is critical to the growth of the community and town.

“We’re excited about the potential this housing commitment has for the people in our town, as there’s already some great outcomes being achieved,” Sue said.

“For example, we have recently sold 12 houses to the Shire of East Pilbara for them to attract more residential employees to Newman.

“And we have leased eight houses to a number of community groups including Indigenous community groups, Newman Day-Care Centre and White Ribbon Women’s Shelter, and we are currently negotiating the lease of an additional eight. This enables these groups to provide better facilities to their people and stakeholders.

“Our new commitment is about maximising the potential of housing and property in Newman,” finished Sue.

BHP will continue working with local community groups to identify other leasing opportunities which will benefit local businesses, stakeholder groups and members of the community.

This includes working closely with the Shire of East Pilbara on precinct planning opportunities, demolishing certain properties and assessing alternative uses for property/land to best suit the lives of people who live in town.

In total, BHP is spending $158 million over the next 15 years across the Pilbara, on its housing portfolio in Newman and Port Hedland.