In and around Piasau Camp
Piasau Camp, the Sarawak Shell housing area as it is known today,
was constructed in the early 70's to house company employees. It
is situated on a peninsula, separated from Miri town by the Miri
river. Piasau Camp used to be the only housing option for Sarawak
Shell staff but recently other housing areas have become an option.
Many social activities still take place in and around the Piasau
Camp area. A one lane bridge now allows you to take a shortcut into
Miri town.
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The word "camp" makes it sound like a fenced-off area,
but this is not and has never been the case. Piasau Camp takes its
name from the local name: "Kampung Piasau", which is still
indicated on a signpost as you cross Piasau bridge onto the peninsula.
Piasau Camp is like most residential areas in and around Miri with
the exception that it is known for its abundance of greenery, its
open space, its shade and its lack of fenced-in gardens. The people
of Miri come to Piasau Camp for an afternoon stroll or their weekly
exercise run because its quiet and has a pleasant atmosphere.
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The road that travels the length of the peninsula is called Jalan
Pantai Piasau, meaning Piasau Beach Road. It currently runs from
the Miri Golf Club at the far end of the peninsula, through Piasau
Camp, past the Piasau bridge, all the way to the Sarawak Shell Office
in Lutong ( 9 km in total). The traffic on this road can be steady
at peak hours but there is very little heavy traffic. Piasau Camp
is straddled across this road with the "older part" situated
on the beach-side and the recently re-established part on the river-side.
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The houses on the river-side are all positioned along dead-end
roads off Jalan Pantai Piasau. A cycle/foot path connects the different
roads but there are no other through fares. The beach-side of Piasau
Camp has similar dead-end roads, some with walkway access to the
beach, but there is also a circular road connecting the school,
the Piasau Boat Club and Hornbill House. Again there is a cycle/foot
path that cuts across all streets and some additional cycle/foot
paths that converge at Piasau School. |
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Traffic in Piasau Camp is minimal and generally slow due to the
large number of speed bumps. Most people and even small children
go about their business on camp by bicycle, tricycle or scooter
and convincing the children of the necessity of sticking to the
traffic rules can be a challenge. A Sarawak Shell maintained cycle
path also runs the 5 km alongside Jalan Pantai Piasau, past the
Taman Bayshore housing estate, to the Shell Office in Lutong. Quite
a few camp residents make use of this cycle path to cycle into work
and get their daily exercise in at the same time.
At present there are approximately 175 houses in the Shell housing
area. Over the years most houses have been renovated and adjusted
to the needs of their occupants. There are six different types of
houses on camp, but you will find that very few houses are exactly
the same. As a company employee, the choice you have is governed
by the number of housing points you've collected; points are related
to marital status, number of children, years of service, job group
and availability. The rules tend to change from time to time to
cater for new situations, sudden demand or lack or demand. For more
on company housing and housing policies go to Housing.
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There is 24-hour security in the camp area and around the school.
Auxiliary policemen are always around in cars and on motorbikes
and to help children cross streets safely and to direct traffic
flow during school peak hours. |
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In the Piasau Camp area you will also find Hornbill
House. Located next to Piasau School it has housed the school
in the early days. It's als functioned as Piasau Camp Resthouse,
providing accomodation to company visitors and temporary residents.
Nowadays it is run by Outpost Miri. It has recently been completely
renovated and refurbish into a modern, multi purpose community centre.
The Outpost Miri office, which provides non-contractual information
to expatriates and cross-postees, is located in Hornbill House.
Hornbill House furthermore has a library, with a large collection
of English and Dutch language books, a large communal room and a
dedicated classroom complete with blackboard and TV/video, a study
room with an Internet corner, a fully equipped kitchen, arts &
craft rooms, and dedicated/equipped rooms for baby and toddlers
groups, complete with nappy changing facilities and an outdoor play
area.
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The Piasau Boat Club
is overlooking the South China Sea. It is the coolest place on camp
because there is often a sea breeze. The surrounding area is planted
with big trees which gives it a tropical feeling, especially on
a clear sunny day. Unfortunately the seawater is not crystal clear
blue, as it would be in our dreams, but it is always nice and warm.
The beach is a public area and keeping the beach clean of drift
wood and rubbish is a difficult task. The beach spans from the mouth
of Miri river to the mighty Kuala Baram. Away from the Piasau Boat
Club local fishermen have built simple huts along the beach under
the pine trees. For more on the activities and facilities at the
Piasau Boat Club visit
their site.
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