A former aged care facility in Wellington has been transformed into temporary accommodation for workers on Squadron Energy’s Uungula Wind Farm, with the first contractors moving in this week.
The Bellhaven facility, which had been unoccupied since 2018, has undergone extensive refurbishment by local First Nations businesses and will now provide housing for workers to support construction of the wind farm.
Squadron Energy leased the 32-room facility following a meticulous assessment and selection process for housing options in conjunction with Dubbo Regional Council.
Squadron Energy Regional Economic Development Manager Bart Sykes said repurposing the site ensured workers now had a dedicated place to stay.
“Opening Bellhaven provides a permanent home for our workforce, while freeing up rentals and tourist accommodation for the community,” he said.
“This facility has gone through extensive refurbishment, with this monumental task taken up by our committed contractors, who are all locals from the area.
“This upgraded facility is ideal for our workers to get to and from the wind farm and supports the project. It can also be used for housing long after Uungula Wind Farm is built.”
Refurbishment work began around June last year and was completed in February.
Squadron Energy selected First Nations business Tyecon to turn the facility into a modern, fit-for-purpose workers accommodation, which provided opportunities for local businesses.
Workers from Squadron Energy, and the company’s recruiters Aurora Energy Services and ESS, will stay at Bellhaven while the wind farm is constructed.
Squadron Energy has leased the facility until 2027, with an option to extend until 2032.
Once construction of Uungula Wind Farm has been completed, Bellhaven will be available to turn into accommodation for other projects, housing or a skilled workforce training centre.
Uungula Wind Farm will feature 69 turbines and generate enough electricity to power 220,000 homes, with the project creating 250 jobs during construction.
