I work for one of those "engineering/construction" companies and am currently mobilised to Darwin. I look after our accommodation for a large FIFO/local workforce and have a lease on about 30 properties in Darwin.... I reckon I am pretty well tuned to whats happening.
Our blue collar 3 bedroom units - unfurnished - I am paying between 700 - 850 per week. I would not balk at paying more than this if I could get them all in one unit block. It makes the transport much cheaper. They are VERY nice, comfortable units and while expensive, not a pinch on the equivalent cost of providing camp accommodation (i also have a 250man camp in the NT).
Our white collar/supervisor accommodation is about $600 - $1200 per week depending on level.
Companies may offer employees a sum of money to go it alone (we do to) but the FIFO guys rarely take it because of the unknown tenure of work and the fact that they are "locked in" to a lease....
Good blue-chip companies will not baulk at the current prices in Darwin. All I would be weary of from an investor perspective is that this project will end, and at some time the demand will disappear - a loan is for 30years and one cant be deluded to think that these rents are sustainable ad infinitum.
Just thoughts. Might be helpful, might not be.
I also know that companies are buying properties up at the moment rather than renting and that there is a site out Noonoomah way earmarked already for a 3000man camp. Another consideration is that before IMPEX starts DLNG train 2 will kick off... Dunno what this all means but there is plenty happening.