Commercial

Make Port Hedland more liveable with Affordable Housing

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:30:00 GMT

Once a dusty iron ore town, Port Hedland in Western Australia is currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar transformation to become a place where people flock to live, not just work. As plans are implemented to increase annual exports of profitable minerals from 200 million tonnes to 690 million tonnes within the next three years, city officials expect the formerly remote town to grow exponentially by 2035, increasing from roughly 20,000 to 50,000 residents.

Funded by the Barnett government’s Royalties for Regions programme, this small community is embracing the coming changes. Already, a fresh main street has been added to South Hedland, complete with a new town square and amphitheatre. Dedicating nearly 54 per cent of the annual $149 million budget to capital works, the town council also plans to add a $20 million library, upgrade the aquatic centre and build affordable housing along the waterfront.

Port Hedland is seeking ways to convince the thousands of fly-in, fly-out mine workers who will descend upon the city to move their families to the area permanently. However, while the growth presents some exciting opportunities for the local economy, it has put a tremendous strain on the housing market. In Port Hedland, a typical three-bedroom rental house can cost nearly $2,500 per week. Many say it simply too expensive to live there.

At the town square opening, local residents voiced their concerns about the affordable housing situation. In response to their request for a block of land to build a house, Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls noted, “New land is being released as quickly as possible, but it does not happen overnight.”

As land is released, Port Hedland residents and workers should consider purchasing one of the prefabricated portable homes offered by Panelfab. Transportable houses are significantly more affordable to construct than traditional brick and mortar houses, yet transportable homes offer the same safety and comforts. Portable houses, such as granny flats and cabins, are already equipped with contemporary amenities, and they can be personalised to feel cosier and look aesthetically pleasing.

Panelfab is committed to working with the Port Hedland community to ensure everyone has access to affordable housing. By constructing the highest quality portable homes, Panelfab can assist Port Hedland is creating a city that people want to call “home”.

The Importance of Having a Physical Office

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:43:00 GMT

Whether you are self employed, running a small startup business or managing a construction site, the importance of an office cannot be underestimated. Residential offices not only appear amateurish, but they are also often located far from business centres, which means you miss crucial opportunities to attract new customers.

The additional expense may seem wasteful, especially when every dollar you earn is likely being reinvested in developing your products and services, but having a physical office provides several important advantages. While you may forfeit the convenience of working from home, a physical office space will provide you with a fresh outlook on your business. Because you have a designated space, free from the distractions of everyday life, your productivity will increase as well.

If you plan to expand your business, a physical office is imperative, especially if you want to hire employees. Inter-office collaboration stimulates new ideas, allows multiple people to manage critical issues and minimises the communication challenges that exist between remote coworkers.

In many markets, the cost to rent, lease or buy a space is prohibitive for businesses that are operating on a limited budget. One innovative solution is to use a prefabricated transportable office unit created by Panelfab, Australia’s leading manufacturer and distributor of temporary and semi-permanent structures.

Panelfab’s extensive range of office units is the financially smart way to secure an affordable office space. Each unit is well-lit, thoughtfully laid out and roomy enough to house all the traditional business accoutrements, such as video conferencing equipment, a photocopier and a notice board. Whether you choose a preconfigured model or make a few custom changes, the units are easily adjustable so that they can continue to meet your current and future needs.

Property can be leased or bought, or if you have enough space, you can add a Panelfab office to your existing home property. This option offers you the convenience of a short commute while still providing the professional space you deserve.

The versatility of transportable offices also make them ideal for temporary work sites, such as construction or mining projects. A real estate agent who needs to consult with numerous potential buyers can even set up a temporary office on the property to minimise the time spent trekking out to the site. When the transaction is complete, the unit can either be sold, the rental agreement can be terminated or the office can be easily transported to the next site.

Panelfab’s 14 multipurpose office buildings range from a modest 3.6 meter by 3 meter, single-room office to a 12 meter by 3 meter, three-room structure. Each unit, which is equipped with fluorescent lighting, air conditioning and a sliding glass widow, is exceptionally comfortable and surprisingly low maintenance.

Working From a Home Office

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:26:00 GMT

How many times have you heard that familiar beeping sound in the morning only to hit snooze and dream about not going into the office? For some it is a reality. Working from a home office has several wonderful benefits; however, it does not come without disadvantages.

Working from a home office means no commuting, you will no longer have to dread the peak hour traffic, or whether or not you will fit on an already stuffed train.

No more nine til five. You are able to schedule work around personal commitments and family obligations.

You can cut parking expenses out of your budgeting altogether, which is especially beneficial for those in Brisbane, Queensland as parking in the CBD is priced at an average of over $20 for one hour.

Private bathroom amenities are a huge advantage especially to women, as you will not have the share the facilities and mirror space with twenty other women.

Lunch expenses and quality will improve, as that amazing dinner you made last night is just waiting to be eaten for lunch.

These are all excellent reasons to work from a home office; however, these benefits are not without their down falls.

Working from home can also mean you lose your ‘home’ and it becomes purely a work space with no privacy for your family and personal life.

Sick days will be a thing of the past, as there’s no escaping the office or your staff!

You will also be unable to host meetings with prospective or existing clients, unless you are happy to have them in your home. Otherwise hiring out boardrooms in executive buildings can become quite expensive.

Working from a home office can also appear unprofessional to some businesses, however, you are able to get a post box and use this as your professional postal address.

Then there are the distractions that come with being at home this can be anything from washing and cleaning to children and pets, and each of these distractions will only amplify when you hit a bump in a project and begin to procrastinate.

Overall there are always positives as well as negatives in decisions of this nature; however, in this case there is also a middle ground that nullifies the disadvantages, and accentuates the benefits of working from home – portable site offices.

You are able to reap the benefits of being close to home, not having to commute or park, having private bathroom and kitchen facilities, while still leaving the distractions of home such as, cleaning, pets, and children.

Having a portable office on your property allows you the professionalism of having a space dedicated to work, while allowing you to keep your home a personal sphere. It also means you are able to keep staff and family separate and allow you to take sick days, holidays, and personal time without compromising the work hours of your staff.

A portable office will also allow you to invite potential or existing clients to meet without having to worry about hiding your washing or cleaning your kitchen or footing the bill for a board room.

Portable offices are available for sale or hire, if you are just starting out and do not want to pay upfront costs, Panelfab – a leader in the transportable building industry – allow for flexible rental payments and periods. Another benefit is they are portable, therefore if your situation changes and you move premises, the portable building can move along with you. Once your business expands, there are several upgrade options available also.

Portable offices for sale are very affordable, and in today’s market they are not only holding their value, but good condition site offices actually increase in value! Once you purchase your portable office, you own an asset that you are able to do with, what you want.

If you want to work from a home office, the answer is simple, keep your work and personal lives separate while maintaining a convenient and professional front buy or hire a portable office!