A NEW building in Geraldton that was opened by Oakajee Port and Rail has seen a huge response from the community since its opening last month, OPR chief executive office Chis Eves said.
The new office, located on Foreshore Drive in the Geraldton central business district, is a regional meeting point for people in the area who want to learn more about Oakajee and how they can be involved.
"The new building is fantastic. It is the first step in establishing a community presence in Geraldton," he said. "People can make local inquiries and ask about employment. Heaps of people and companies have called and registered their interest and many businesses have proved they want to work with us. The nuber of individual contractors and businesses on the register would be in the hundreds."
Oakajee Port and Rail Environment and Land Access manager, Peter Spalding, is based in the Geraldton office, along with office manager Carllen Kelly.
Oakajee Port and Rail is completing more than $100 million worth of studies and works in the Mid West as it prepares its bankable feasibility study for completion in March next year.
Mr Eves said the next step for Geraldton would involve the company completing the drilling of 16 holes offshore, as well as speaking with community groups in the Mid West about the rail line and the geotechnical conditions that would determine where it would go.