taff-scaff

Hi all,

Looking for some help and advice

I have a potential job offer on the Pluto LNG plant, I am waiting for the full offer terms and conditions etc.... to come through, I just wanted to try and get a feel for the place and to try and make my mind up should I take the job on Bachelor status or bring my family with me from Ireland.

What is Karratha like for a family ?
What facilities are there in the town ?
Is there much to do in the surrounding area ?

Thanks in advance

mecheng

I know a few people working on Pluto but none with families so I can't help you on that front. I'm pretty sure that if you are single status then you won't get a home, i.e you'll live in a camp, but you may be entitled if you share with other single status workers, but this all depends on what is agreed prior to starting. I imagine it would be very hard to be there without your family close by and I would give serious thought to doing this, but it depends on your circumstances.

In regards to Karratha, there will be a lot of information on the web, and you can even check the Woodside website, but you can expect quite a few facilities to live something resembling a normal life considering that Woodside and several other companies have their workers based in Karratha. In terms of activities, if you enjoy the outdoors, i.e. fishing, diving etc. then you'll enjoy yourself. I would expect there to be numerous social activities on a regular basis. At the end of the day, it comes down to what Ts&Cs you agree to prior to starting.

jad n rich

Stick Karratha in the search box top page yellow line.

Not a great place for a family. Hot isolated rough mining town, thats the partners view he worked there for a spell years ago. Someone else may love it of course.

renth

Very expensive to rent if your family comes over - I suppose about $1500 a WEEK for an average house !!

Lord_Farquar

That makes Sydney look cheap!!

Amazulu

And it would be very average - anything decent goes for silly money.

Amazulu

Karratha is about to go into boom mode, so hopefully facilities and infrastructure should improve - but don't hold your breath.

Gems

If you have a family and dont fancy living in Karatha due to expense and heat. Some of the mine and other Pilbara worker have their family living in places closer to Perth like Geraldton. Rents are cheaper and they just fly in and out.

Thats one other option.

Gems

JAJ

Consider carefully the visa they offer ... permanent or temporary?


Are you seriously contemplating leaving your family so far away?

mecheng

It's been in boom mode for many years already so their facilities are quite established.

mecheng

It's been in boom mode for many years already so facilities are quite established.

renth

Yeah, there's a Coles AND a Video Easy

taff-scaff

Yes, I know it would be pretty sad to leave the family behind, living in Ireland I have had to spend the majority of life working away or overseas, so I was hoping to take this position and spend 6 months there first then look at bringing my family out with a view of emigrating, so its a good point about the visa, I will need to get more advise, we are only in early talks at the moment, we have not got to the salary or package as yet. Thanks very much for your help.........

taff-scaff

Thanks mecheng, I will bear this in mind when negotiating the contract, i have found some websites regarding Karratha and I have picked up a fair bit of information from them.

Its the detail things that you cannot get on websites, you can only get from people who have been there and done it.....

Thanks very much, any other info would be gratefully appreciated......

taff-scaff

Thanks Gems,

This one option we are looking at is for me to spend the first 6 months up in Karratha and then bring my family over and get a place within an hours commuting distance of Perth, then FIFO for the remainder of the contract, I am looking for any help at all regarding visas, and what to ask for ? can I ask for a permanent visa ?

We looked at a place called Butler on the web, which seems quite nice ?

thanks for your help