Premiums set to rise after airport theft

Fallout from the theft of an airport parking ticket machine will likely result in an increase in the Town of Port Hedland's insurance premiums.

A man was caught on CCTV using a stolen ute to ram the airport gates and ticket machines before loading one of the machines onto the back of the vehicle.

Town chief executive Mal Osborne said the damage bill was estimated to be in the vicinity of $300,000 and local police reported $5000 cash was in the machine at the time.

Port Hedland police Sergeant Jason Gentili said the thief had taken his time.

"The offender rammed the airport gates and then sat back and waited for about 40 minutes," he said.

"Once he realised no one was coming, he has gone back and grabbed the ticket machine."

The machine was dumped and set on fire near Yarrie Road, resulting in a 10sqkm bushfire that burnt for most of the day.

The stolen ute was also set alight and abandoned on North Circular Road, South Hedland.

The vandalism comes just weeks after the Town of Port Hedland awarded a $500,000 contract to repair smashed windows at Wanangkura Stadium.

At the time, Mr Osborne said any further vandalism incidents would likely affect insurance premiums.

The council has a $5000 excess, meaning ratepayers foot some of the bill to repair infrastructure damaged by vandalism.

Mayor Kelly Howlett expressed her disappointment in the damage, branding it another act of senseless vandalism and theft.

"We would like to reassure all visitors to the airport that this is a rare and isolated incident and that parking at the airport is secure," she said.

Parking at the airport will be free until the Town is able to source new ticket machines, which the North West Telegraph understands are coming from Adelaide and Germany.

Parking revenue at the airport is estimated to be around $9000 a week and the money is reinvested in the airport.