Northam detention centre to reach capacity

Submitted by news on Tue, Aug 7, 2012 - 11:32am
The immigration detention centre in Northam, Western Australia is close to capacity and could be full within weeks.

The detention centre currently holds 536 detainees with room for 600 asylum seekers.

Northam shire president Steve Pollard says he has been told the centre will have a small overflow capacity of up to 620.

Mr Pollard says the transfer of detainees to Northam is relieving pressure on other detention facilities.

After overcrowding cause riots at the Christmas Island detention centre Northam residents are keen to avoid a repeat of those problems.