Short stay accommodation opens in Geraldton
Western Australia’s fourth Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation, Bundiyarra Regional Aboriginal Community Kinship Stay (BRACKS), has opened in Geraldton.
Operated by Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation (Bundiyarra), BRACKS will provide safe, culturally appropriate, and affordable accommodation for Aboriginal people visiting Geraldton and the Mid West Gascoyne region.
MercyCare is partnered with Bundiyarra to develop BRACKS governance, mentoring, and capacity-building, drawing on its prior experience managing Aboriginal Short Stays elsewhere in Western Australia.
Key points
- Western Australia’s fourth Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation is now open in Geraldton.
- Operated by Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with MercyCare, the short stay will provide accommodation, meals, transport, and laundry services.
- Construction completed by Mid West-Gascoyne builder and Registered Aboriginal Business GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd.
- $28.5 million project part of the State Government’s $6.3 billion housing and homelessness investment since 2021.
BRACKS provides 44 accommodation units for guests, comprising 16 single/twin, 14 family, and 14 universally accessible rooms, accommodating up to 100 guests for stays of up to 28 days. Guests will also be provided with meals, laundry services, and where required, transportation support.
The location of BRACKS on Bundiyarra land located on Blencowe Road and Eastward Road in Utakarra has strong cultural significance to the Yamatji people and has historically been a camping ground for travellers to the region.
Homelessness Minister Matthew Swinbourn said many Aboriginal people from remote locations in the Mid West have had to travel to Geraldton for important appointments, family gatherings, or for business reasons.
“BRACKS supports Aboriginal people to travel without putting pressures on family and friends while avoiding rough sleeping situations,” he said.
Affordable accommodation
“It also helps keep families together while travelling, improving overall wellbeing and quality of life for Aboriginal people.”
The short stay was constructed by Mid West-Gascoyne builder and Registered Aboriginal Business GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd, and employed more than 270 people, including 25 Aboriginal tradespeople.
BRACKS adds to the three other Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation services currently operating successfully in Kalgoorlie, Derby, and Broome.
“Aboriginal Short Stays have played a crucial role in providing culturally informed, safe, and affordable accommodation for Aboriginal people visiting regional centres,” Housing and Works Minister John Carey said.
“This increase in short-term accommodation options for Aboriginal people in the Mid West will help address housing stress in the region and avoid people sleeping rough locally.
“It represents a $28.5 million investment by our State Government and is part of our record $6.3 billion housing and homelessness investment since 2021.”
