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Minister for Ports Stephen Dawson MLC has today announced that Smith Constructions has started work on the site of the $8.3m project set to revitalise the heritage-listed Pilot Crew Quarters and Coxswain’s Quarters, along with their surrounding grounds, to help tell the story of WA’s first port.
Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said the project was about creating something that celebrated the enduring contributions of the Port of Albany while providing a new space for the Port's regional community.
“In its heyday, when pilots, port workers and their families were all living within the Port of Albany Pilot Station precinct, it must have been a hive of activity – we plan to bring that family atmosphere back to the site through this revitalisation.
“Smith Constructions have already delivered on some wonderful heritage projects in Albany and I’m looking forward to this being another one of those.”
Plans developed for the site by Southern Ports working with H+H Architects also include adding a playground, further landscaping, bike facilities and other amenities. Allowances for mobile catering facilities such as a coffee van have also been included.
As a local builder, Smith Constructions has delivered a number of heritage projects in Albany, including significant work at the Albany Town Hall, and has previous experience carrying out maintenance works at the pilot station precinct.
Smith Constructions director Hayden Smith said working on heritage projects was always an exciting challenge that his team was up for.
“We’re confident in our ability to deliver an end result that Albany locals and visitors alike will be proud of, while allowing Southern Ports to celebrate the site’s historic legacy," he said.
The Port of Albany Pilot station precinct housed marine pilots and their families working at the port from as early as 1853 through to 1936.
The site overlooks the channel linking Princess Royal Harbour to King George Sound and was once a bustling precinct of buildings, including the remaining quarters which were included on the State Register of Heritage Places in 2002.
Minister for Ports Stephen Dawson MLC said it was fantastic to see work officially underway at the history precinct during the Port of Albany's bicentenary year.
"The Port of Albany Pilot Station played an integral role during a busy period at WA’s first and oldest port, and it will be tremendous to see that unique story highlighted through the delivery of this project," he said.
The revitalised site is set to open to the community in late 2027.
Read the Minister's full statement - Revitalisation work starts at historic WA port precinct | Western Australian Government
