Construction begins to upgrade Port of Albany Pilot Station with new plans to create vibrant community space

Construction has officially started to transform and revitalise the historic Port of Albany Pilot Station into a vibrant community area.

Plans for the site include revitalising 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 via an interpretive centre.

Southern Ports has developed further plans with H+H Architects to add a playground, further landscaping, bike facilities and other amenities, as well as allowances for mobile catering facilities such as a coffee van to be included in the upgrades.

The Port of Albany Pilot Station precinct once housed marine pilots and their families working at the port from as early as 1853 to 1936 and overlooks the channel linking Princess Royal Harbour to King George Sound.

It was once a bustling precinct of buildings including the remaining quarters which were included to the State Register of Heritage Places in 2002, but in recent years has been left empty and deteriorating.

Smith Constructions was contracted to carry out the work of the $8.3 million upgrade project that was funded under the State Government’s royalties for regions program.

The local building company 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.

Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said the project was about creating something that celebrated the contributions of the Port of Albany while providing a new space for the 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,” he said.

“Smith Constructions have already delivered on some wonderful heritage projects in Albany and I’m looking forward to this being another one of those.”

Smith Constructions director Hayden Smith said the group was excited to take on the challenge of upgrading the pilot station.

“Working on heritage projects such as this is always an exciting challenge for our team and one we’re always up for,” he said.

“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.”

Ports Minister Stephen Dawson said it was great to see work get started.

“It’s fantastic to see work is officially under way to revitalise this historic 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.

“The Cook Labor Government is proud to support this project, which will no doubt become a popular spot for locals and visitors to Albany.”

The revitalised site is set to open to the community in late 2027.