Community Meetings on Christmas Island
Media Release - DPS 45/2002
Consultations were held over the weekend with Christmas Island community groups on the design, construction and operation of the proposed Immigration Reception and Processing Centre (IRPC).
The meetings were hosted by Administrator of Christmas Island, Bill Taylor, and led by Acting Deputy Secretary Vince McMahon from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA). The group included senior representatives of Environment Australia and the Walter Construction Group, which has been awarded the contract to build the new centre.
Community groups included the Christmas Island Shire Council, the Union of Christmas Island Workers, the Christmas Island Chamber of Commerce and members of Chinese and European resident groups.
A DIMIA spokesperson said the focus of the meetings was to brief the Island community on the design concept of the centre and to answer questions relating to operational and construction issues.
"The Island community responded well to the village community concept underpinning the concept design and its emphasis on amenity and functionality," the spokesperson said.
"The Department was grateful for the time given up by members of the community and their open and constructive attitude. This will be the first of a series of briefings to ensure that the community is kept abreast of developments." Mr Taylor has already published answers to initial questions in local publications and more answers will be published as questions emerge.
The detention facility, to accommodate up to 1200 people, is planned to be completed in early 2003, with a first stage providing capacity for up to 400 to be available later this year.
5 July 2002
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