FIFO life made easier at Alkimos

Tuning into the fly-in fly-out way of life, Lend Lease and LandCorp have entered an agreement with FIFO Families at their Alkimos Beach development, which will offer support and education for those living the FIFO lifestyle.

Lend Lease has anticipated about 15 per cent of Alkimos Beach’s 6500 residents will either be working on a FIFO basis, or belong to a family where one or more members works away.

Lend Lease general manager of communities in WA Anthony Rowbottam said the companies had responded to the growing trend where FIFO families were choosing to settle in Perth’s northern suburbs.

“Of our first 25 homes, five were occupied by FIFO families, which backed up our research but more importantly this partnership plays a part in Lend Lease’s commitment to planning communities and creating the best places for people to live, ” Mr Rowbottam said.

FIFO Families founder and director Nicole Ashby said the agreement, which will run over the next three years, would set new industry standards.

“This partnership demonstrates it is no longer just the resources and construction companies employing FIFO workers that are giving consideration to the unique needs of this important subset of the community, ” Ms Ashby said.

As part of the agreement, FIFO Families will conduct a series of workshops for Alkimos Beach residents on how to make the most of the FIFO lifestyle and will provide discounted premium memberships on the days those workshops are held.

Shane and Vicky McTigue moved in to Alkimos Beach in September after trying to manage a FIFO lifestyle from Melbourne for a number of years.

Mr McTigue was spending 28 hours to get home following a shift, so the couple decided to move to WA to have more time together and enjoy a “sea change” at Alkimos Beach.

Mrs McTigue said she was looking forward to the connections and support she would receive through the FIFO Families agreement.

“My husband and I are empty- nesters, so when he’s away, it’s just me and the fur babies, ” she said.

“We’re not only FIFO but new to WA as well, so I’m really looking forward to the community connections I’ll be able to create through FIFO Families.

“What this will do is help us all be more connected and the families at home will have numbers to call while our partners are away.”