Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney (NSW)
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The Villawood Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) is located in a western suburb of Sydney approximately 27 kilometres from the CBD and 500 metres from Leightonfield Railway station (two kilometres from Chester Hill Railway Station).
Originally constructed between the early 1960s and 1970s as a migrant hostel, the buildings have been progressively adapted into a secure immigration detention centre, which was opened in 1976.
Villawood Immigration Detention Centre mainly caters for people who have over-stayed their visa permit or those who had their visa cancelled because they have failed to comply with their visa conditions, and some adult male Irregular Maritime Arrivals. People refused entry into the country at international airports and seaports may also be detained here.
Villawood Immigration Detention Centre Redevelopment
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Department of Finance and Deregulation (Finance) are jointly undertaking a major redevelopment of the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. The provision of $186.7 million to extensively redevelop Villawood was announced by the government as part of the 2009-10 Budget. The redevelopment will include the replacement of the higher security accommodation with a new 90 room facility and new central facilities (kitchen, dining, medical, mental health, education, recreation and sporting facilities). The lower and medium risk accommodation blocks will be substantially replaced.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (PWC) approved the redevelopment in November 2009, following a public hearing, submissions and stakeholder consultation.
Information on the project's progress is available on a dedicated website.
See: www.villawoodredevelopment.immi.gov.au
Accommodation and facilities
The Villawood IDC comprises three separate accommodation compounds, known as Blaxland, Hughes and Fowler.
Some of these facilities were damaged in the disturbances at Villawood in April 2011, but will be replaced or repaired as soon as possible.
Capacity
Information on accommodation capacity at immigration detention facilities is available on the department's website.
See: Accommodation Capacity
Contact details
Contact details and visiting hours information is available.
See: Contact Details for the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre