Willis Island

The Willis Island weather monitoring station was established in 1921 and equipped with a radio transmitter in order to provide a cyclone early warning service for Queensland. The first officer in charge was John King Davis.[5]

On 2 February 2011, sometime shortly after 08:30 AEST, the eye of Cyclone Yasi moved directly over Willis Island as a Category 5 tropical cyclone. Four station staff had been evacuated the previous day.[6] A wind gust speed of 185 kilometres per hour (115 mph) was recorded by the weather station equipment before the anemometer failed.[6] The barometric pressure fell to an exceptionally low 937.9 hectopascals (703.5 mmHg). Around 9:00 am, radar data was disrupted.[6] Roughly an hour later, communication with the island was completely cut off. The cyclone was so strong it altered the shape of the island and cleared much of its vegetation.[7]

Limited services were restored on 17 February 2011. A Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman later said the core building sustained minor damage to the roof, deck covering and one of the solar panels. "The radome which protects the radar was completely destroyed and the radar itself sustained damage and needed to be replaced," she said. The associated storm surge also damaged the power generator, sewage system and desalination equipment.[8] Operation of the weather monitoring station was restored on 12 December 2011.[7]

Up to 2004 most of the infrastructure constructed in either 1950 or 1968 still existed. Maintenance and refurbishment had been an ongoing costly process. The small parcel of land (total island is 7.7 hectares) accommodated eight buildings of varying structure as follows:

• Main building housing recreation, kitchen/dining, sleeping, office and equipment room constructed in 1950
• Main store constructed in 1950
• Laundry building constructed in 1950
• Bunker/Cyclone Shelter constructed in 1950
• Generator building constructed in 1968
• Fire pump building constructed in 1968
• Flammable liquids bunker constructed in 1968
• Balloon filling and hydrogen storage building constructed 1950 (condemned)

Personal living accommodation was provided in a barracks-like wing between the meteorological office and the kitchen-living room area. Meteorological equipment included a defined equipment enclosure and a 7-metre-high (23 ft) radar tower plus dome. Other equipment included a desalination plant and enviro-cycle sewage treatment plant.[9]

From 2005, the following new facilities and services have been constructed:

• Meteorological office, mess area, accommodation, recreational area, powerhouse
• Hydrogen generator building and gas storage, including associated site works
• Relocated fuel storage tanks to a new concrete bunded diesel fuel area
• Underground services related to communications, power distribution, water, sewage and fire hose reel services
• Relocated satellite dishes and radar tower
• Refurbished salt water pump building

Accommodation facilities caters for four permanent staff and up to 10 visiting personnel.

Meteorological equipment includes a defined equipment enclosure and a 7-metre-high (23 ft) radar tower plus dome. Other equipment includes a desalination plant and enviro-cycle sewage treatment plant. Power generation comprises a hybrid system of a diesel generator combined with a wind generator and solar power. Rainwater harvesting has not been implemented due to the high level of marine bird life and guano deposits.[9]

The station has a recreation room which includes amenities such as a pool table, darts and table tennis, along with an outside sporting area and a home gym. There are also opportunities for recreational fishing.

A substantial library caters for all tastes. Two satellite television systems enable reception of Australian Channel 10 and the ABC, and of free-to-air transmissions from countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Programming includes the American television channels CNN and MTV and an extensive video library completes the passive entertainment options.

Occasional amateur radio operations occur in the Willis islets. Under DXCC rules Willis is considered to be a separate "entity" (equivalent to country) for award credit. A major DXpedition visited for several weeks in October 2008 (VK9DWX).[10] Another operated here in November 2015 (VK9WA).

In the past, landfill was buried on the island, and occasionally high winds and heavy seas from a cyclone would uncover parts of the waste. A major clean-up campaign was conducted in 2004 and 2005 to protect the sensitive areas such as the coral cays and sand dunes.

Today, all waste generated on the island, as well as any debris that washes ashore, is placed in bins and shipped back on the staff exchange vessel for appropriate disposal on the mainland.

Tropical Cyclone Yasi uncovered a landfill site on the island, which was found to include some asbestos containing material (ACM). The area was remediated and all waste was removed from the island.

Three formal Occupational Health and Safety investigations on Willis Island have been undertaken by independent assessors – GHD (2007 and 2011) and Parsons Brinkerhoff (April 2011 – after TC Yasi). These investigations found no significant potential for exposure to asbestos fibre for employees stationed on Willis Island.

Occasionally old asbestos cement sheet washes up on Willis Island and is collected and bagged before being transported back to the mainland where it is disposed of in line with the Queensland Government's EPA legislative requirements. Full safety equipment is used.

Staff generate their own supply of hydrogen for use in weather balloons. Prior to 1994, a chemical process to meet hydrogen needs was used. This process produced a toxic residue that was a danger to the local birdlife. Because of this danger, a safer "electrolytic converter" is now used to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen.