Woomera Officers Targeted in Orchestrated Attack
Media Release - DPS 103/2002
ACM officers, who were attempting to fight several small fires burning simultaneously at the Woomera detention facility last night, were set upon by up to 20 male detainees, preventing the fires from being extinguished, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs said today.
Following events in Baxter and Port Hedland over recent days, Woomera reviewed its contingency planning and established a number of measures including increased staffing levels, liaison with relevant authorities and increased perimeter security.
However, these additional measures were not enough to counteract the carefully orchestrated plan by people to sabotage the facility.
Officers were pelted with stones and threatened with metal bars as they tried to extinguish the fires, which, driven by strong winds, spread rapidly and eventually destroyed two compounds.
The first of the fires began close to 11pm last night in an ablution block. Several more fires followed, in an accommodation block and dining rooms of two compounds.
The ACM staff attempting to extinguish the fires were set-upon by around 10 detainees in each compound. When further fires commenced and detainees continued to hamper efforts to control the fires, staff were forced to withdraw.
Emergency services were on site by 11.15pm to fight the blaze, which had quickly taken hold.
A number of detainees were seen removing personal possessions ahead of fires commencing in the accommodation quarters.
During the blaze detainees refused offers to evacuate and congregated in the areas between the compounds and the perimeter fences.
The fires were brought under control by 3.45am although many of the buildings continue to smoulder this morning.
A head count has been conducted and all detainees and staff are accounted for.
No staff or detainees at the centre appear to have suffered serious injuries, although several staff members and detainees were treated on-site for smoke inhalation.
South Australian Police from Roxby Downs and Port Augusta are on site and a team from the Australian Federal Police (currently at Baxter) is scheduled to arrive today. It's expected charges will be laid.
Preliminary estimates suggest the damage bill at Woomera will be in excess of $2.5million (approximately 33 accommodation blocks, 8 ablution blocks and 2 dining rooms).
There have been ongoing discussions with detainees, to ensure that it is understood that criminal activity will be punished and disturbances are counterproductive to their cause.
Calm has been restored at both Baxter and Port Hedland detention facilities following numerous fires at both centres over the weekend and Monday.
The Department believes all the fires were deliberately lit.
The fire at Port Hedland, which has caused an estimated $3 million damage began late on Sunday (29 December) and is still burning in some areas.
The Baxter fire, which caused an estimated $2 million in damage, is still smouldering today.
Forensic investigations are continuing at both sites.
No detainees have been transferred from any detention centres as a result damage caused by the recent fires. There is sufficient accommodation at all facilities.
31 December 2002
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