COVID, borders and staff shortages leave Port Hedland pub taps at risk of running dry

In one of his most famous songs, Slim Dusty sang of The Pub With No Beer, but if he were alive in 2022, would he be singing of Hedland, the mining capital that is, unbelievably, at risk of becoming the town with no pub? While staffing shortages in Hedland may be old news, COVID-19 border restrictions, vaccination mandates, and consistent crime and ram raids are making it increasingly challenging for many businesses to stay afloat. Hedland’s beloved pub scene is bearing the brunt, with closures and restrictions on service now commonplace for licensed venues in Port and South Hedland. Back in December 2021, just days before hospitality workers were required to have their first vaccine dose, the Pier Hotel in Port Hedland announced it would be closing. The Pier Hotel, which had been vocal about its stance on the COVID-19 vaccine in the months leading up to the closure, closed due to border restrictions and COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The Pier’s neighbouring pub, The Esplanade Hotel, remains open. Run by BHP and Compass Group, the pub has some local staff but the majority operate on a FIFO roster. The establishment has been closing intermittently when staff have been short and is asking patrons to book ahead to ensure staff availability. As of May 14, 2021, the Esplanade’s accommodation has been closed due to the refurbishment of more than 100 rooms. A bit further down the road at the site of what will be the Spoilbank Marina is the Port Hedland Yacht club. Last week an email was sent to yacht club members stating if the club “cannot turn things around, and quickly” it would need to close. The email revealed the pandemic “and other influences” has resulted in the popular venue’s decline. “Just prior to COVID, the financial situation began to decline, then COVID came along followed by other influences, which see the club in the current position,” it read. The club has called on its members for help to keep the doors open. “The only way we can continue to remain open in the short term, is through the assistance of members by continuing to come to the club for your drinks and meals and/or volunteering.” The email asks members for their ideas, and for them to consider volunteering time on the door, behind the bar and during working bees. The commodore and committee also wrote they would be reaching out to the Town of Port Hedland as well as mining companies including BHP, Rio Tinto, Roy Hill and FMG and local business for financial assistance. “We will send regular updates of our opening hours and what will be available as well as updates of our progress,” the email read. “To continue to operate, it is only feasible with the assistance of members attending the club and volunteering.” Further down Port Hedland’s Sutherland Street sits The Hedland Hotel. The beachside favourite of locals remains open for drinks, however the kitchen is closed. Heading inland, The Walkabout Hotel sits across the road from the Port Hedland Airport and alongside workers accommodation The Landing Hotel. Both The Walkabout Hotel and The Landing Hotel are owned by Walkabout Holdings director Neal Jones-Guilmartin. In December 2020, Mr Jones-Guilmartin revealed plans to build a landmark five-star, 201-room, high-rise luxury hotel in Port Hedland in joint partnership with Azzura Developments. At the time of announcement, Mr Jones-Guilmartin said a rise in domestic tourism off the back of the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant upturn in the resources sector were driving factors behind the project. While Mr Jones-Guilmartin maintains these plans will still go ahead, he said it was a “long and slow” process and that the development would no longer be in partnership wiht Azzura Developments. A different story to many pubs in Hedland, Mr Jones-Guilmartin said while staff availability is tight, the establishment has “had no trouble filling positions.” “Our trade has been very good,” he said. “But I think there’s hard times ahead for the State; we’re heading into six to 12 months of uncertainty.” Mr Jones-Guilmartin said he did not think the adjacent workers accommodation was an advantage for his pub. “We sell almost no takeaway liquor,” he said. “Around 60 per cent of our trade is meals. “Our patrons are mostly local families, who come to eat, drink a bit, then go home.” While staffing has not been an issue, Mr Jones-Guilmartin said ram-raids were a “big problem” for the pub. “We’ve had two ram-raids in the last month, no stealing, just vandalism,” he said. “It’s very frustrating.” Like the Port Hedland Yacht Club, The South Hedland Bowling and Tennis Club is a members only, licensed venue. Former club co-ordinator Kristie Thomas was recently forced to stand down from her position due to her vaccination status. Ms Thomas spent the last seven years volunteering her time to the club and said she “wasn’t sure” what was going to happen now that she is unable to work there anymore. Last December, the club experienced eight break-ins in 14 days. Ms Thomas said the club lost thousands of dollars worth of stock each time. “During the second break-in, the alarm first went off at 11am but we never received a call from the alarm company until 3am; in those four hours, five groups came in and took everything,” she said. “We also had to spend thousands on repairs, security cameras and over $3500 on new locks.” During the string of break-ins, the club took to Facebook to ask for support from their members. “The club’s been struggling, it’s been a very quiet year, having to close for COVID and still paying the bills left the bank account a little dry,” the post read. Another victim of juvenile crime, The Last Chance Hotel in South Hedland’s town centre has also experienced numerous ram-raids. The pub has also been heavily effected by the recent border reopening delays. Last Chance Tavern owner Frank Pileggi said he was relying on reopening to staff his venue. “We had two chefs, two staff for our sports bar and one drive-through bottle shop attendant due to fly over on the fifth (of February), and now they can’t,” he said. “I don’t want to close down, I’ve spent a fortune upgrading the place, but if I can’t get a cook or get my current chef who is leaving to stick around a bit longer, I don’t know how we can keep going.” With WA’s new proof of vaccination rules kicking in on January 31, double dose proof of vaccination is required for those aged 16 and over in all hospitality venues including pubs, bars, clubs and taverns. Due to the Pilbara’s vaccination rate remaining extremely low, Hedland publicans now face a new challenge that could push some of this town’s favourite watering holes over the edge.