10 October, 2013

New worker accommodation to support Christchurch rebuild

Portacom Building Solutions today announced it has secured a site to build and manage a 200-room accommodation village in Christchurch Central to provide much-needed support to workers rebuilding the devastated city centre.

Portacom Building Solutions, New Zealand’s market leader in modular buildings, has confirmed the Stayover on Madras village will open on Madras Street by mid-2014.

The village, which already has resource consent approvals, will provide high-quality managed accommodation facilities for Christchurch workers for at least the next eight years.

The confirmed investment into the redevelopment of the city is one of many projects Portacom Building Solutions has carried out in the region since the earthquakes struck and demonstrates the company’s confidence in New Zealand's burgeoning economy.

Portacom Building Solutions South Island Manager Phil Botting said the need for adequate accommodation in the region was a pressing issue for major construction companies and support services associated with the rebuild of the city.

“Stayover on Madras will be based near surrounding redevelopment sites and offer fully-serviced worker accommodation with all the comforts of home including en suited rooms, full meal service and recreational facilities," Mr Botting said.

The Stayover village is a concept established by Portacom Building Solution's sister company, Australian modular giant Ausco Modular and is designed and operated using best-practice concepts from the hotel and hospitality industries, including sustainable build and management practices.

Ausco Modular General Manager Strategic Development Roger Bradford said the company’s Stayover model was well established through its membership of the global modular group, Algeco Scotsman.

“We collectively own and operate over 8,000 rooms in villages located across the globe. The Stayover brand has been a local success story in Australia since 2008, where our nine villages cater to millions of corporate clients each year,” Mr Bradford said.

“Our group has a long-standing New Zealand presence, which is backed by demonstrated global expertise, access to funding and a commitment to delivering high quality managed workforce accommodation facilities.

"It really is a natural extension for the business and one that we think will drive some great outcomes for the broader Christchurch community.

“We are proud to be bringing the Stayover model to New Zealand and providing much-needed worker accommodation to the region as it rebuilds the city.”

In a speech to Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce on 10 September, Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key said the Government was determined to keep driving the momentum of the rebuild and that it would be the largest economic undertaking in New Zealand’s history.

Mr Key said businesses had been reopening in the central city including critical hotel accommodation needed to support tourism given the city’s crucial role as gateway to the South Island.

Construction of the Stayover on Madras village will provide little disruption to the surrounding area as much of the works will occur offsite.

Portacom Building Solutions intends to engage the services of local trades and labour wherever possible for the installation and fit out, and to assist with the village’s ongoing operation and management.

To find out more about Portacom Building Solutions visit www.portacom.co.nz.

To find out more about the Stayover concept visit www.stayover.com.au.

-ENDS-

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