Hey Guys,

I know plenty of Kiters on SeaBreeze are in the mining game and do FIFO.
If you do, and could answer these questions for me and post them back here, that'd be mint.

It's just a bit of fast research for a client of mine.
Much appreciated, and feel free to withhold your real names if you want. This is just about getting a few thoughts and opinions about bush accomodations from mine industry workers.

Thanks very much.

Ben

Please give your name (optional), sex, age, company and job description?


Describe how you feel generally about working remotely.


Who decides where you will stay when you are working in the bush?


Please describe your existing hotel/s and what is Good and Bad about it.


In a perfect world, what should your hotel be like?


What is THE MOST important thing about your working accommodation?


What would convince you and/or your company to try a new hotel?


If you saw advertising for a new hotel, what words/images would attract you to that hotel?


What words/images would put you off that hotel?


If you and/or your company were looking for better accommodation, what should the advertising focus on?


Have you heard of the Mia Mia Hotel in Newman, WA?
If so, what do you know about it?

Not to work on the mines Shark, no.

We'd still like to hear from the FIFO guys who live in camp.
Yes, contractors and senior consultants are definitely a big part of the target for this, no doubt about it.

At the end of the day though, this is about basic comforts and prorities while living in ****e holes for work, and as such, all remote workers have a relevant opinion and I'd like to hear what they have to say about it.

Cheers

B

Everything is so packed out that you have to book 3 to 4 months in advance and you take what you can get - there is no choice and no real point of difference between accommodation. Either that or it's mine houses or camp which can vary greatly.

I'm working in Newman at the moment, staying at Karra Village. Dongas are pretty much standard nowadays...4 x 3, 4 rooms to a donga, each with their own ensuite, tv (with a few foxtel channels)....nothing to write home about though. Some of the newer camps have larger 6 x 4 rooms which are very comfortable...study desk, tiled ensuites, carpets etc.
The thing is if you don't provide decent lodging/conditions, people won't work for you.
To answer some your questions.
Working away is alright...depends on your roster and scope of work. I'm in the office so it's not so bad. You can plan ahead and even have a holiday every 2-3-4 weeks depending on the roster. Your company decides where you stay. Accommodation in Newman is expensive and very hard to come by. My mate is renting his house out to BHP for $1350 a week.
In terms of the hotels...generally only high-flyers (project managers, construction managers etc.) would stay there. Opening up a hotel in Newman would be good business as BHP would pay the rates for their staff to stay there.
If your client is the Mia Mia, tell them it's a nice place but because they charge an extra $20 for a buffet meal if you're an out-of-towner, I wouldn't eat or stay there.
Most of the guys that work out here aren't here to stay in a ritzy hotel...they're here to work to support their familes...or buy new kites and go on surfing trips.

forbsy said...

I know a kiter who works for the mining industry who's told me horror stories of being given very sub-standard lodgings where the sheets were covered in cum stains but then again, he's a bit of a tosser himself so I guess you could call it poetic justice.

too funny dude.
what company does he works for?
maybe the person organising his acc. shd get the boot.

Aido, Kiter Dan, Sunseeker and Saffer, Thanks very much for your help boys, like I said, all feedback is relevant. It sounds tough out there.

Forbsy, thanks for the laugh, sounds like a nice pad.

Cheers blokes, keep em coming if you can.

Happy Australia Day, hope it blows.

B

Please give your name (optional), sex, age, company and job description?
GreenPat, not enough, 28, a consulting firm, a mine planning consultant.

Describe how you feel generally about working remotely.
Generally, I enjoy it.


Who decides where you will stay when you are working in the bush?
The client, being the mining company.


Please describe your existing hotel/s and what is Good and Bad about it.
It's an on site camp, and the airconditioning is broke in the gym. That's bad because it's hot, but it's probably good because it's more of a conditioning workout. Gotta keep hydrated though!

In a perfect world, what should your hotel be like?
Marble tiles, scantily clad waitresses bringing me beers by the pool, humungous luxury rooms with sunken jacuzzis, yeah that's probably close anyway.

What is THE MOST important thing about your working accommodation?
I don't have to cook for myself.

What would convince you and/or your company to try a new hotel?
If there was more than one place to stay within a 200km radius.

If you saw advertising for a new hotel, what words/images would attract you to that hotel?
Marble tiles, scantily clad waitresses...

What words/images would put you off that hotel?
"Budget accommodation." No thanks, the mining company is getting the bill thank you very much.


If you and/or your company were looking for better accommodation, what should the advertising focus on?
Not spamming kiteboarding forums would be a start .

Have you heard of the Mia Mia Hotel in Newman, WA?
If so, what do you know about it?
Can't say that I have. I did see a sign with Mia Mia something on it a while back, or it might have been on a station. Is that a station? I went to a beach in Ghana called Miamia once, it was quite pleasant. Anyway, I know where Newman is, how's that?

aido said...

ive worked in the mining industry for the last 8 years its f$#ked most accomadation is adaquate but if had achoice u wouldnt stay there foods the biggest thing i would look at & the most ive been at u wouldnt feed half the crap to your dog so a well stocked bar is a must alot of liquid diets & ceirial i choose the smaller companies like byrnecut & barminco to work for . the bigger ones like BHP & hamersly iron suck to work for to many lasy f##kwits end up working for these companies beacause they know u can do as little as possible & get rewarded for it so if your a lasy **** go work for the bigger ones if youve got commencense & dont mind working go the smaller ones

Good to have your positive attitude on board, I expect you're an absolute pleasure to work with.

white shark said...
too funny dude.
what company does he works for?
maybe the person organising his acc. shd get the boot.

Well dude, he used to call it ****gro which I think was a reflection of his disillusion to the entire industry.
But then again, it could just be his demeanour. He made whinging something of an art form.

Ok, 1 last refresh, if anyone else can help me out.

Go on, it's not like I'm asking for a rescue at off shore woodies or anything serious, just 2 minutes.

Cheers

B

That's ok Forbsey, I've done my dash on this one mate.

Relax you two. If they want to answer, they can, if they don't fine.
I'm not trying to sell anything to anyone.

As I said already, hapy to let this slide away, so you won't see me refreshing the topic again, like you have just done.