What kind of life will migrant workers have if they live in a converted mining camp at Monarto South and work in the factory next door?

That was one of the questions raised at a meeting last month about a plan by Australian Portable Camps to house its workers on-site.

The company plans to install several of its transportable buildings just off Ferries-McDonald Road for employees to live in.

It already uses temporary housing to accommodate long-haul truck drivers who deliver to the facility.

Managing director Frank Martino said the lack of shops or services in the surrounding area was not a problem – workers would be supplied with a daily bus service into Murray Bridge, and a communal area where they could play pool or darts.

In any case, what was the alternative?

The region was in the grips of a housing crisis, and there were simply not enough rental properties around for workers to live in.

That was especially true for migrant workers who might only be granted visas for six months at a time.

Mixed reactions from neighbours