The move is in response for increasing demand for this type of accommodation in the region - and equal interest from developers in providing it.

The proposal aims to keep these type of developments close to towns and villages which have services to cater for them , or close to mine sites to cut down travelling time to the worksites.

Some residents may be concerned with the development of this type of development in the region, especially those living nearby who may fear that their quality of life and property values may be affected.

However, with a shortage in permanent accommodation - and with short-term contract workers involved in mine construction unlikely to see want to buy a property or sign a long-term lease - there is a need for appropriate housing for workers.

Without local housing, mines may be forced to turn to Fly-In, Fly-Out (FIFO) or Drive-In, Drive-Out (DIDO) workforces which have caused such division in other regions that the practice is now the subject of a Federal Government inquiry.

The “us and them” mentality that FIFO/DIDO practices have created in other, more remote mining regions, and the drain of mining wages away from the local area is not something that this region should replicate.

Council is acting wisely in accepting that temporary accommodation developments are likely to be unavoidable, and taking steps to ensure that they go where council wants them to and meet an acceptable standard.