Hand-over of Exmouth US naval base to Australia

The hand-over of command of the Harold E Holt naval communications base from the United States to Australia today marks a fresh focus on the development of Exmouth.

Deputy Premier Ian Taylor said the hand-over coincided with the sale of the first 26 former US naval homes in Exmouth which would see $1.4 million go to the special development fund for the region.

"The base will continue to play an important defence role for both the United States and Australia - a partnership which was forged in wartime 49 years ago by the Curtin Labor Government," Mr Taylor said.

"That co-operation started with the establishment of an Allied base on North West Cape and the opening of the Learmonth airstrip.

"It culminated in the construction of the base in 1960.

"There is no doubt that following today's hand-over it will continue to be an important strategic defence centre."

Mr Taylor said the co-operation which characterised the operation of the base would also help secure Exmouth's future after the us Navy personnel and their families left the area.

He said the United States Navy was to be congratulated for agreeing to the terms surrounding the sale of the 180 US Navy homes - this would see 22 per cent of the sale price go to the US and 78 per cent into a special fund for the future development of Exmouth.

"I am delighted that 26 of the first houses to come up for tender have been sold," Mr Taylor said.

"This initial sale has now set the benchmark for the prices the houses can be expected to bring - as there have already been more than 800 expressions of interest, I would expect that there will be much more interest in the next sale in about six weeks, when 64 houses will be put to tender."

The highest price accepted for a house was $81,288 for a three-bedroom and family room residence.

The average prices were:

·         $70,140 for 13 Davro, three-bedroom homes;

·         $74,360 for four Davro, three-bedroom and family room homes;

·         $65,552 for three Block, two-bedroom homes;

·         $70,917 for six Block, three-bedroom homes.

In all but two cases, prices paid for the homes were above the minimum tender price.

The Deputy Premier said the hand-over of the base and the sale of the first homes were the start of a new era for Exmouth.

"With the upgrading of the Bullara-Giralia Road, an examination of the possibility of exports through Learmonth, the inquiry into the potential of a major tourist resort development and the expected visit in December of the world chairman of the Club Mediterranee resort chain, Exmouth is looking to a bright future," Mr Taylor said.