Ongoing issues with vermin, poor plumbing and structural defects means the high security section of Villawood Detention Centre in NSW is unsuitable for use and should be decommissioned as a priority, a new report says.
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The Commonwealth Ombudsman has on Monday released a report into the state of immigration detention centres during January to June last year, partially based on site inspections.
The high security compound in Blaxland has been flagged for decommissioning for a few years, which has seen its budget reduced to basic maintenance costs.
"The facilities are unsuitable for continued use, being over crowded with ongoing issues with vermin, poor plumbing, structural defects and limited privacy, ventilation and access to outdoor recreation space," the report says.
The federal government insists it will be decommissioned in the first quarter of this year, with the number of detainees now reduced.
The government says it's working with service providers to plan for the "orderly transition" of the change.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has flagged issues with the Blaxland compound for years, saying it doesn't meet standards required by international human rights law.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has conducted inspections of immigration detention facilities since 2011.
Commonwealth Ombudsman Michael Manthorphe said there remained issues regarding how complaints were managed, the use of restraints and security risk assessments.
He's also concerned about indefinite detention.
"We remain concerned that people continue to be held for lengthy periods with, in some instances, no probability of being released in the foreseeable future," Mr Manthorpe said.
"Delays in resolving the immigration status of detainees place considerable strain both on detainees and their families."
Australian Associated Press
