MEDIA RELEASE
108.09
1 December 2009
Increased capacity on Christmas Island
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is further increasing
accommodation capacity on Christmas Island for irregular maritime arrivals.
The modifications will increase capacity on Christmas Island to about 1600
beds by mid-December.
“All immigration facilities are built to allow flexibility for increased
accommodation demands,” a departmental spokesman said today.
“We have previously said that contingency planning is under way to increase
accommodation on Christmas Island as necessary and this is occurring.
“We recently increased the capacity on the island to almost 1400 by
reconfiguring existing infrastructure into accommodation areas at the
Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre [CIIDC].
“Under current arrangements, 1088 people can be accommodated at the
CIIDC. Additional demountables have now been transported to the island to
further expand its capacity by up to 200 beds – these should be in place by
mid-December.”
To further increase capacity, an additional compound using demountable
buildings is also planned. This would increase the capacity of the immigration
detention centre by an additional 400 beds. Works on this compound are due
to be completed by March 2010. These works and additional demountable
accommodation in the Phosphate Hill facility, which will be available in early
2010, will bring the detention capacity of the island to about 2200.
Until these new accommodation measures are established, a small number of
tents will also be installed at the IDC as an interim measure. The tents may be
used for accommodation or for recreation and education activities.
The department will continue to work with key community, government and
industry stakeholders to ensure any accommodation capacity issues are
managed in a timely and sensitive manner.
Media Enquiries: National Communication 02 6264 2244
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