The Halls Creek council has voted 4-3 in favour of the Kimberley Hotel’s request to to build a 590-metre electric fence around the pub to stop an escalation in thefts and break-ins.

It’s a pretty reluctant application and it comes at a significant cost,” said Kimberley Accommodation Group director Martin Peirson-Jones, who did not want to divulge the cost of the fence to 6PR Breakfast host Gareth Parker.

Tap PLAY to hear Martin describe the mindless disruption affecting the pub

The pub, 2600km north of Perth, is one of the only accommodation options for essential FIFO staff such as doctors, nurses and trades workers, but they are being harassed by local youth gangs prominent in the area while damage to property at the hotel is ongoing and significant.

“Stolen cars, threats to comfort or safety to staff and guests, property damage … it’s a mounting toll in terms of a dollar sense,” Peirson-Jones said.