Former detention centre now an affluent suburb of Port Hedland

Since the remake of the former Port Hedland Immigration Detention Centre into an upmarket accommodation facility, the area surrounding the facility has transformed into an affluent suburb.

Auzcorp’s $25 million dollar investment into the mothballed detention centre has stimulated a spectacular revival of the surrounding area and community assets.

From the riots and protests of 2003, the new resort style accommodation village completed in 2008 is now surrounded by high quality housing, a school and a much needed family day-care centre with an asset value in excess of $500 million dollars. This has lifted both the style and the optimism of the area quite significantly.

Cooke Point is becoming the Peppermint Grove of Port Hedland. Although Beachfront Village now fulfils a major role in terms of helping to address the huge accommodation shortage in Port Hedland experienced due to the mining boom, the facility has had a varied existence and evolved over the years to become the success it is today.

The site’s history began in the 1970′s when it was initially constructed by BHP to provide single men’s quarters, to house BHP’s local workforce. In the 1990′s, the property’s use as a Detention Centre was well publicised. In particular, media attention focused on the riots and the treatment of its residents. In the words of Father Bruce, “In some cases they [the detainees] were bullied – treated close to animals”. Following the negative publicity and public outcries, the Centre was closed in 2004 by the Government. The facility subsequently was left to decay and fall into disrepair, with the razor wire remaining until 2007, when Auzcorp was awarded the tender to convert the Detention Centre to a short term accommodation facility. As noted by Tom Stephens, Member for Central Pilbara-Kimberley at the time, in support of putting the former Detention Centre to good use, “..it stood idle for too
long”.

Since Auzcorp took over the facility and invested in an extensive revamp of the existing buildings, as well as adding luxurious, new accommodation, Beachfront Village has risen to meet the demand for accommodation in Port Hedland. It has catered for tourists, corporate visitors and people working in the resource and construction industries, thereby playing its part in revitalising Port Hedland.

Beachfront Village now has the capacity to accommodate approximately 450 guests and staff each and every night. It comprises of over 400 rooms including single en-suited, double en-suited, executive rooms and studio rooms. It therefore caters for the accommodation needs of every section of the community.

Located in the original two-storey buildings which were on-site when Auzcorp first took over the facility, are 212 refurbished rooms, including single rooms and larger studios rooms, with shared bathrooms. Auzcorp has added a further 168 new en suite rooms located in single-storey buildings, comprising of single and double premium rooms with private bathrooms. Premium rooms for the disabled are also available.

All rooms at Beachfront Village are modern and comfortable, offering quality beds and linen, flat screen TVs with movies and multi channels, wireless internet access and bar fridges. The new premium rooms are spacious and modern in design. The two-storey accommodation buildings also have sitting rooms on each level with large plasma TVs and refreshment areas. To cater for the demands of the modern traveller and guest, there is also a fully equipped Gym and an Internet room for guests to use.

Beachfront Village is within walking distance of the ocean at Cooke Point. It is a spacious site in one of Port Hedland’s prime areas, with plenty of car parking, leisure areas, laundries, a shuttle bus service and other essentials.

In the Pilbara region, Auzcorp has always championed the hiring of staff from the local community. Beachfront Village is a prime example of this policy.

In summary, the above facilities have more than met the requirements of the Town of Port Hedland in terms of community benefit, integration, urban design quality and safety in the provision of accommodation. Beachfront Village is a shining beacon of success and an example to anybody looking to provide much needed accommodation in Port Hedland and the booming Pilbara region.

Beachfront Village

Phone: (08) 9173 2000
Address: 15 Demptser St, Cooke Point
Port Hedland, WA 6721
Web: www.beachfrontvillage.com.au

PDF: 111025_Beachfront_Village_Article

HISTORY
1991
Department of Immigration & Citizenship facility utilised as an Immigration Detention Centre.

2004
Port Hedland Immigration Detention Centre officially closed.

2007
“It has been costing them $60,000 a month for a moth balled, empty facility…” (Source: ABC News, Member for Central Pilbara-Kimberley – Tom Stephens – 17th March 2007).
Tender to lease PHIDC awarded to Auzcorp, beating 23 other tenders.

2008
Auzcorp invests $8.2m to upgrade facility.
Beachfront Village opened with 380 rooms.

2010
Facility extension – 42 executive rooms – $2.5m

AUZCORP’S INVESTMENT

Buildings, Plant & Equipment $13.4m
Holding Costs $13.2m
TOTAL $26.6m

DELIVERABLES

Beachfront Village’s contributions to the community include:
- 12.6% of the total transient workforce accommodation capacity (Source: Port Hedland Regional HotSpots Land Supply Update April 2011 WA Planning Commission)
- 422 short stay rooms in close proximity to local business and facilities
- employs 62 local residents (total employees – 92)
- Rates & taxes paid to the Town of Port Hedland since Auzcorp took over the facility – $1.1million.