A new short-stay facility is about to be built in Derby to offer affordable and culturally appropriate accommodation for members of the Aboriginal community.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the new short-stay accommodation facility, scheduled to be open by August, was made possible with more than $11.3million from the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.
Child Protection Minister Helen Morton said MercyCare would operate the facility, with assistance from Centacare Kimberley, to deliver a service backed up with local knowledge and experience.
"The facility will provide affordable and culturally appropriate short-stay accommodation for up to 54 people visiting Derby from surrounding communities," Mrs Morton said.
Housing Minister Bill Marmion said the Derby Aboriginal short-stay facility would reduce the hardship often experienced by short-term visitors who may otherwise sleep rough.
"Up to 10 per cent of Aboriginal people in regional centres like Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Derby are temporary residents from surrounding remote communities and many come into those centres to visit family and access important government services," Mr Marmion said.
The Derby short-stay facility will be the second of its kind built in Western Australia with the assistance of Royalties for Regions. The first opened in Kalgoorlie-Boulder in 2013.
Mr Redman said the Derby facility would provide a vital service to the Kimberley community.
"The State's first short-stay accommodation in Kalgoorlie has done a great job meeting the accommodation needs of Aboriginal visitors to the town and I expect the Derby facility will equal that success," he said.
"Royalties for Regions is helping to create sustainable regional communities in Western Australia."
Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 6700
Child Protection Minister's office - 6552 6900
Housing Minister's office - 6552 6800
