5 Steps to a Compliant Remote Build – The Remote Group WA Approach

Building in remote Western Australia comes with its own set of challenges – vast distances, limited local resources, harsh weather and strict regulatory requirements for safety and sustainability. In these conditions, delivering a compliant remote build (whether it’s a mining camp expansion, a regional community facility, or a remote operations centre) requires a rock-solid process. Remote Group WA (RGWA) has developed an end-to-end approach that ensures every project meets or exceeds compliance standards and is delivered efficiently. Here are the 5 key steps we follow to take a project from concept to completion, the right way.

Step 1: Planning and Design with Compliance in Mind

Every successful project starts on the drawing board – but when it comes to remote builds, compliance needs to be a cornerstone of design, not an afterthought. In this first phase, RGWA works closely with clients to understand the project goals and constraints. We engage designers and engineers (either the client’s team or our own network) to develop a solution that is fit-for-purpose and meets all regulatory requirements.

Key actions in this step include:

Site Assessment: We examine the proposed location’s conditions – soil type, topography, climate, bushfire risk, cyclone region classification, heritage considerations – because these factors will dictate design choices. For example, if the site is in a bushfire-prone area, the building design must incorporate fire-resistant materials and setbacks as per Australian Standards (a lesson reinforced by our Sunrise Dam project, where bushfire compliance was a critical design driver).
Regulatory Research: Identify all relevant codes and legislation. In WA, that could mean the National Construction Code (Building Code of Australia) requirements, local Shire planning schemes, health regulations for potable water and wastewater if the build includes those systems and mining sector HSE requirements if on a mine site. We make a checklist early on so nothing is missed.
Concept Design & Documentation: With those factors in mind, we create or review concept designs. RGWA’s ethos is design sensibility – ensuring the design isn’t just compliant, but also thoughtful in terms of user experience and community context. That might mean positioning buildings to capture breezes and reduce aircon load, or including communal spaces (like the gym and outdoor verandas we built into the Boomers Village expansion for quality of life). We start planning finishes and materials now too, especially to ensure they meet standards (e.g. fire ratings, slip resistance for flooring, insulation R-values for energy efficiency).

During this step, having an integrated team is invaluable. Our project managers are already looping in our trades and construction experts to sanity-check the plan. Can we source that specified material in remote WA? Is there a simpler design tweak that would save time later? This collaboration in the planning stage means by the time we move forward, the design is not only compliant but also practical to build and maintain.

Step 2: Approvals and Permitting

With a solid plan in hand, the next step is securing all the necessary approvals. Regulatory compliance on paper has to translate into official green lights from authorities before construction can begin. RGWA’s end-to-end service includes managing this often complex approvals process.

What happens in Step 2:

Development Approvals (DA): If required, we prepare submissions to local councils or authorities for planning approval. Remote projects sometimes get special fast-tracking if they’re state-significant or in mining areas (some mines have their own regulatory regime), but we still may need planning consent especially if near a town or affecting local roads. This could involve community consultation, environmental impact assessments, or Aboriginal heritage clearances depending on location.
Building Permit: In WA, a registered Building Surveyor must sign off on the design for Building Code compliance and issue a permit before construction. We coordinate this by providing all design documents, engineering certifications and specs to the surveyor. Because RGWA often handles design and construct, we take responsibility for ensuring all details (from structural adequacy to emergency egress compliance) are covered. The building permit process is meticulous – any modular components need proof of compliance too. For instance, if we’re installing prefabricated units, we provide the factory certifications or engineer’s inspections to the surveyor as part of the compliance pack.
Specialist Permits: Remote builds might need extra permits – for example, clearing permits if vegetation must be cleared, or a permit to install an on-site wastewater system. We identify these early and lodge applications with the relevant departments. For a turnkey camp, this could mean Department of Health approvals for septic or water treatment, or Main Roads permits for a new driveway entrance on a highway.
Stakeholder Approvals: On mining sites, an internal approval from the asset owner or principal contractor is often required. They will review our plans for alignment with their safety standards (for example, AngloGold Ashanti had its own HSE requirements for Sunrise Dam that we had to formally adhere to). We facilitate these reviews and ensure our plan is signed off by all stakeholders including the client’s own safety and operations teams.

Going through these approval steps can be time-consuming, but it’s absolutely essential. It’s far better to address any compliance questions on paper now than to face a stop-work order or rework later. Our experience in remote WA means we know the common pitfalls – like ensuring any building in a cyclone region D has the engineering to match, or that working accommodations have the required fire safety systems and evacuation plans. By securing robust approvals, we set the stage for a build that won’t get tripped up by regulators.

Step 3: Site Preparation and Civil Works

Once approvals are in place (or even in parallel while waiting on permits, when appropriate), we move into site preparation. As discussed in our previous article, civil works are a critical part of remote builds. In this step, RGWA’s civil crews mobilize to the site to transform an empty piece of land into a ready-to-build platform.

Key components of Step 3:

Mobilization and Logistics: Getting equipment, machinery and materials to remote sites is a project in itself. Our integrated approach shines here – our project team arranges transport of dozers, graders, excavators and supplies to site, often coordinating with local logistics providers. We also set up temporary facilities (site offices, ablutions, generators) to support the workforce.
Earthworks and Grading: The site is cleared of any vegetation (after ensuring environmental clearances are in order from Step 2). Then we cut, fill and grade the land according to the site plan. For example, if the plan calls for a raised pad for a camp, we’ll import fill or relocate on-site soil to build up a flood-safe pad. We achieve the required level and compaction – often tested by a geotechnical engineer for compliance.
Foundations and Footings: Our concreters and formwork carpenters get to work setting out the foundations. Depending on the project, this could be pouring concrete slabs or strip footings for each modular unit, or installing steel footings. Precision is key – the locations of hold-down bolts or footing dimensions must match the modular building design exactly. RGWA’s crew is experienced in these remote pours; in fact, at the Castle Hill NPI project we even ran an on-site batching plant to ensure a steady concrete supply for all the slabs and pedestals. It’s this level of self-sufficiency that keeps remote projects on schedule.
In-ground Services: Before we close up the ground, we lay the necessary pipes and conduits. Water supply lines, sewer or septic connections, electrical and communications conduits, even future-proofing like empty conduits for potential expansions – all get buried in trenches with proper markings. If the project includes things like a septic tank, leach drains, or stormwater soak wells, those are installed now too. Our plumbers and electricians work hand-in-hand with the civil team so that nothing is missed. By the end of this stage, the site should have the bones in place: flat pads or foundations and utility lines sticking out ready to connect to buildings.
Compliance Checks: Before moving on, we verify that the site works meet any specific requirements. This could include compaction tests results filed, engineer inspections of reinforcement in footings, or council inspections of a septic system excavation. All these sign-offs feed into the compliance dossier of the project.

By the conclusion of Step 3, the remote site is no longer a patch of red dirt – it’s a prepared canvas on which the modular structures can be placed with confidence. Taking the time to do civil works right also ties back to compliance: for instance, ensuring accessible paths are graded to the correct slope, or that fire appliance access is available to all buildings. It’s easier to incorporate those elements now than to retrofit later. With RGWA handling this stage end-to-end, we make sure the transition into vertical construction is seamless.

Step 4: Modular Installation and Construction

Now comes the exciting part – the arrival and installation of the modular buildings and the construction of any onsite-built structures. Because of our thorough prep, this stage tends to move quickly, but it’s also where coordination and safety are most crucial.

What Step 4 entails:

Delivery Logistics: Our project manager coordinates the transport of modular units from the manufacturing facility or storage to the remote site. Given WA’s distances, this often means careful scheduling of truck convoys, possible road permits for oversized loads and timing to align with crane availability on site. When the modules arrive, they’re offloaded using cranes or specialized trailers. RGWA ensures a single point of contact is managing this (no scattered approach) so that modules arrive in the right sequence and condition.
Placement and Installation: Each module is lifted into position onto the prepared footings or slab. This is a critical operation – heavy cranes, sometimes multiple modules to align (for example, two or three modules joining to form a larger building). Our team’s experience shows here: riggers, crane operators and site supervisors work in unison. We double-check alignments and connections as we go. Once positioned, modules are secured (bolted/welded to footings or to each other as per engineering). If the building is multi-storey (rare for remote camps, but possible for say a two-storey office block), we carefully stack and brace modules in sequence.
Onsite Construction Tasks: Not everything might be factory-built. Often there are tie-in corridors, verandas, stairs, or other elements constructed in-situ to connect the modular units. We also might erect ancillary structures like a covered outdoor BBQ area, a pump shed, or fuel tank bunds. At Boomers Village expansion, RGWA built verandas and outdoor walkways on-site to complement the installed accommodation units. Our carpenters and steelworkers handle these small construction pieces so that the final product is cohesive and complete.
Utilities Hook-up: As soon as modules are secured, our electrical and plumbing teams swing into action connecting the pre-laid services from Step 3 to the building systems. That means hooking up the water inlet and waste outlet to each accommodation, connecting the main switchboard to each building’s sub-board, installing and testing fire alarm systems, communications (Wi-Fi, LAN) setups and even things like linking in backup generator power if required. Because we planned the services during design and pre-laid infrastructure, these connections are efficient. Still, testing is vital – we verify water pressure, ensure no leaks in plumbing, test all electrical circuits and tag equipment. By end of this sub-step, the buildings are effectively “alive” with power, water and data.
Quality and Safety Oversight: Throughout the installation, RGWA maintains strict safety protocols. Remote sites often have additional HSE measures (for mining sites, daily safety pre-start meetings, PPE requirements, etc.). Our crews adhere to all – we pride ourselves on a strong safety record and culture. Quality control is equally important; our project leads perform inspections at key stages. For instance, before any wall panels or cavities are closed up, we check that insulation or fire linings (if required) are properly in place as per spec. We also invite any third-party inspectors (like the building surveyor or client’s rep) to do interim inspections. By being proactive with QA/QC, we ensure there are no compliance issues that pop up at the final inspection.

Step 4 is often the most rapid phase – weeks or even days, compared to months of prep. For example, in one RGWA project, we installed and connected six modular buildings to extend a dining facility and added multiple accommodation units within a tight timeframe. This is where modular shines: simultaneous manufacture and site prep (from earlier steps) collapse the schedule. But the key is all that groundwork – our team’s synchronized effort – that allows this flurry of activity to happen safely and correctly.

Step 5: Fit-Out, Commissioning and Handover

With structures in place and services connected, the focus shifts to finishing touches, thorough testing and documentation – the final sprint to a fully compliant handover.

Here’s what happens in the final step:

Interior Fit-Out: Modular units often come with a basic internal fit-out from the factory, but RGWA ensures everything is completed to the standard. Our carpenters install any joinery (kitchen cabinets, wardrobes), our flooring specialists might lay vinyl or carpet if not pre-done and painters touch up any blemishes from transport or installation. We also handle fixtures and equipment – for instance, installing appliances in a kitchen or laundry (as we did for Lynas Rare Earths’ caravan park expansion, where appliances were part of the scope). Even details like hanging fire extinguishers, assembling furniture (if part of our contract) and window dressings can be included. The goal is that the facility is move-in ready, down to the last light bulb and smoke alarm.
Exterior and Site Finishes: We finish any remaining exterior work such as cladding joints between modules, weatherproofing touches, installing external lighting, signage and landscaping if required. In remote projects, “landscaping” might be as simple as re-spreading topsoil or gravel and ensuring proper grading. But if the project calls for it, we’ll put in pathways, stairs, ramps, handrails, shade structures, or even a bit of greenery for aesthetics. RGWA’s standard is that modular doesn’t mean barebones – for example, we included breezeways between units at Laverton to improve comfort and village feel. We know these finishing touches enhance the usability and community vibe of a place.
Commissioning and Systems Testing: Now comes a rigorous round of testing all systems as a whole. We test electrical systems under load (turn on all the ACs and appliances at once – can the genset or mains handle it?), we verify water heating systems, pump out septic systems to ensure they flow correctly, test fire alarms and simulate emergency lighting power loss, etc. Any issues are rectified on the spot by our team. This is essentially a dress rehearsal for operation. It’s also when we conduct training if needed – for instance, showing the client’s facility manager how the backup power switches over, or how to operate the wastewater treatment unit, etc.
Compliance Sign-Offs: Perhaps the most important part of Step 5 for a compliant build – gathering certifications and approvals for the finished work. We arrange the final inspection by the Building Surveyor for the occupancy permit. We compile test results (like electrical certificates of compliance, plumbing compliance certificates, fire system commissioning certificates) into a handover package. Because we managed everything end-to-end, we can deliver a complete set of documents from structural engineering certifications to materials warranties. This gives the client peace of mind and a paper trail proving the build meets all requirements.
Client Handover and Walkthrough: Finally, we walk the client (and often end-users) through the completed project. It’s a satisfying moment: seeing a once-empty site now home to a fully functional facility. We point out key features, hand over keys (literally and figuratively) and make sure the client is comfortable with operating and maintaining the site. RGWA stands by our work, so we also outline any maintenance schedules or offer ongoing support if part of the contract (our “Maintain” service can provide continuing maintenance so the facility stays compliant and in top shape).

A great example of a smooth handover was the Sunrise Dam village expansion – RGWA delivered the project on time with minimal impact to ongoing operations. By the time we handed it over, everything from the laundry machines to the air conditioning in each room had been tested and was fully operational and the site had all necessary occupancy certifications. The client could simply start using the new buildings.

The RGWA Difference in Remote Project Delivery

These 5 steps – Plan, Approvals, Site Prep, Install and Finish – form a roadmap that RGWA uses for every project. But beyond the steps themselves, it’s the philosophy behind them that ensures compliance and quality:

We integrate all trades and phases, so nothing falls through the cracks. Our team includes everyone needed – designers, earthmoving operators, concreters, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters – all coordinated under one project manager. This integration means each step informs the next and there’s accountability through the whole process.
We emphasize safety and community awareness at every step. Being compliant isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about creating safe, liveable spaces for people. Whether those people are miners living on site or local community members using a facility, we consider their well-being in design (safe, comfortable accommodations) and during construction (minimizing disturbances, engaging local workforce where possible, respecting local cultures).
We never sacrifice quality for speed. Modular construction is fast, but we ensure that speed comes from efficiency, not cutting corners. Our end-to-end approach is about doing things right the first time. Each step has its own quality checkpoints which means by the end, we are not scrambling to fix a compliance issue – it was handled in the proper step when it was easiest to do so.

By following these steps, a remote build that could seem daunting becomes very achievable. The outback doesn’t have to mean “out of control” – with the right process, even the most far-flung project can be delivered to the highest standards of compliance and excellence. Remote Group WA’s track record, from mining villages to infrastructure projects, shows that an end-to-end approach is not just efficient, it’s essential for remote construction success. We plan the work and work the plan – all the way to a handover that every stakeholder can be proud of.