Accommodation plan moves forward

Construction of student accommodation behind Alison Hartman Gardens will begin within weeks, with a local company picking up the $16 million tender.

Wauters Building Company was today announced to receive the building tender for two apartment buildings, with space for 40 beds.

They will be built on the site of the old primary school, where the car park currently is, with work expected to begin by early March.

Accommodation will be available to University of Western Australia and TAFE students.

Wauters chief executive Brett Joynes said the project would provide work for more than 150 people.

“It’s fantastic news for us and the local construction community,” he said.

“We’ve all put in a team effort to drive a solution that benefits as many people as we can – it’s a great win for Albany people.

“It’s right in the middle of town so we’re only using the best tradesmen in Albany to do the job, it should come out beautiful, high quality.”

When the project was announced in September 2018, Advance Housing chief executive Kaz Sternberg said prices for fully-furnished student apartments could start as low as $100 per week.

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the project would deliver a significant boost to the region’s building industry.

Albany MP Peter Watson also welcomed the news.

“This is a fantastic boost for local jobs in the building industry in Albany, as they are doing it tough at the moment,” he said.

“Local tradies and suppliers will directly benefit from the project that will also deliver more affordable student housing in the CBD.”

In preparation for the works, the Albany headmaster’s house and former school buildings have also been refurbished.