Roadhouse facilities draw complaint

A Hedland man has slammed the Auski Tourist Village, saying the name is not appropriate for a place that has succumbed to the mining industry.

The roadhouse, 193km north of Newman, is described on its website as a “gateway to some of the most beautiful and secluded natural wonders of the State”, and a popular stop over on the Great Northern Highway.

South Hedland resident Dennis Robinson booked accommodation at the roadhouse after a day trip to Karijini National Park and was not impressed with the camping ground facilities.

He said the accommodation was fine, but the kitchen facilities for campers were “appalling”.

“It’s supposed to be a tourist area, but it’s been turned into a mining camp,” he said.

“There was dirt all over the benches, no hot water in the sink to wash up and we had to borrow a cloth to wipe everything down.”

Mr Robinson said there was a truck cleaning bay immediately next to where people are expected to prepare food.

“There were 40 miners there … paying $175 a night and then their meals on top of that, (Auski Tourist Village) are not going broke by any means,” he said.

“I was there seven years ago and there was lots of information about Karijini National Park – not anymore, we couldn’t find any information.”

Auski manager Sandy Matheson agreed accommodation at the roadhouse was now predominantly used by mining companies, but there had never been a complaint about the kitchen.

“It’s happening everywhere; look at Port Hedland, Tom Price and Newman,” he said. “You can complain all you want but there isn’t much we can do about it, we are just meeting the demand.

“The trucking business increased, the mining business increased and we need to cater for everyone.”