In the past most of the accommodation in town was owned by Comalco (now Rio Tinto Alcan) and rented to staff. However, in recent times as more of the area has become freeheld individuals have decided to build or buy their own homes. Data gathered in March 2009 shows that 74% of homes in Weipa are now privately owned.

Rio Tinto is responsible for the administration of the town, which it does through Town Office. The Town Office acts in the role of Local Authority and has staff which one would normally associate with a local council. The services supplied and maintained through Town Office are of a similar nature to those supplied by local councils throughout Australia such as Road maintenance, water supply, town planning, public swimming pool, public library, parks and ovals and garbage collection.

The town and it's community are continuing to develop, as is evident by the formation of the Weipa Chamber of Commerce and the Weipa Community Care Association Inc., which has established the Family Day Care Scheme.