Council seeks temporary workforce accommodation providers

⁠⁠⁠Overview

Muswellbrook Shire Council is inviting expressions of interest (EOI) from developers, investors, accommodation providers, operators, tourism operators and workforce accommodation specialists interested in providing temporary workforce accommodation (TWA) in the Muswellbrook Shire.

About

The EOI follows Council's adoption of its Temporary Workforce Accommodation Policy in September 2025, which outlines Council's expectations for how TWA should be located, designed and managed across the Shire.

Council's position is that TWA should be located within or near existing towns and villages, allowing workers to integrate into the community rather than being isolated from it. Locating accommodation close to established communities would also give workers better access to local businesses and services, retaining more workforce spending within the Shire and allowing supporting infrastructure to deliver longer-term benefits.

The Policy encourages accommodation and infrastructure that can be shared, reused or repurposed between projects. Where appropriate, TWA should also have a planned pathway to become permanent housing, visitor accommodation or another employment-generating use once its initial purpose ends, while supporting infrastructure should be designed to accommodate future growth.

The Policy sets expectations for local procurement, including contractors, labour, materials, kitchen supplies, equipment, food and laundry services. It supports partnerships with local medical centres, recreational providers, and businesses to promote workers' health and wellbeing while strengthening their connections with the broader community.

Purpose

The non-binding market sounding exercise will help Council understand the market's interest, capacity and potential approaches ahead of anticipated demand for temporary workforce accommodation associated with major projects across the region.

Scope

The scope includes:

• Provision of temporary workforce accommodation within the Muswellbrook Shire
• Accommodation located within or near existing towns and villages
• Accommodation and infrastructure capable of being shared, reused or repurposed between projects
• A planned pathway for accommodation to transition to permanent housing, visitor accommodation or another employment-generating use, where appropriate
• Local procurement of contractors, labour, materials, kitchen supplies, equipment, food and laundry services
• Partnerships with local medical centres, recreational providers and businesses to support workers' health, wellbeing and community connection

Eligibility

Businesses and developers with experience in delivering temporary workforce accommodation, or planning to do so within the Muswellbrook Shire, are encouraged to register their interest. This includes developers, investors, accommodation providers, operators, tourism operators and workforce accommodation specialists.

Instructions to Respondents

This EOI is a preliminary and non-binding market sounding process. Applications do not constitute development approval, endorsement of a proposal or a commitment by Council to enter into a procurement or commercial arrangement. Any future proposal will remain subject to the relevant planning and assessment processes.

• EOI opens: Thursday 3 September 2026
• EOI closes: 5pm, Friday 18 September 2026

Further information, including Council's Temporary Workforce Accommodation Policy, EOI documents and submission requirements, will be available on Council's website.