Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation

Communities is investing in improving the wellbeing of Aboriginal people by providing new affordable short stay accommodation for the Aboriginal community in regional areas.

Through the WA Government’s Midwest Recovery Plan, Communities is delivering the $28.5 million Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation (Short Stay) project that will provide a safe, culturally appropriate and affordable accommodation solution for Aboriginal people visiting Geraldton.

The Short Stay will address the need for additional accommodation in Geraldton by providing pay-per-stay accommodation for Aboriginal people who visit Geraldton to access services, or participate in business, educational, cultural or family activities. 

The Geraldton Short Stay will be built by local Geraldton builder, GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd, on the corner of Eastward and Blencowe roads, on a portion of State land that is vested in the Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation. Construction is expected to commence in 2024 and, while delays are not expected, the project is not immune to trade, transport and material constraints currently seen within the construction industry.

Through construction, the project is expected to create an estimated 96 jobs and inject about $37 million into the region’s economy.

GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd has demonstrated experience in exceeding minimum government requirements relating to Aboriginal employment and has committed to achieving, at a minimum, the following targets throughout the construction of the Geraldton Short Stay: 

• 8,200 Aboriginal construction hours (exceeding government minimum requirements)
• 10 Aboriginal employees working on the project (exceeding government minimum requirements)
• 80 per cent local businesses within the Midwest-Gascoyne and Murchison regions engaged in the project
• Two indigenous apprentices and six certificated trainees working on the project
• Three new training courses delivered  
• 10 high school work experience opportunities.

Project timeline

• August 2020 – Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation project announced.
• July 2021 – Independent consultancy Keogh Bay engaged to undertake stakeholder engagement activities.
• September 2021 – Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects appointed to consult with local stakeholders and design the Short Stay.
• October 2022 – Ernst & Young appointed to undertake place-based service model design.
• December 2022 – Paola Anselmi and Paul Caporn appointed as consultants to integrate Aboriginal art into the building design.
• February 2023 – Place-based service model design engagement concluded.
• March 2023 – Final build concept designs revealed.
• December 2023 – GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd appointed to build the Short Stay.
• Early 2024 – Construction commencement.

Early Tender Advice

An Early Tender Advice seeking a suitably qualified Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or Aboriginal Registered Business to operate the Geraldton Short Stay is live on Tenders WA.

A Restricted Procurement Process is expected to commence in 2024. More information can be found on Tenders WA and in the Service Provider Frequently Asked Questions.

Community and stakeholder consultation

Communities has engaged extensively with key community members and stakeholders, from project initiation through to build and service design development, to ensure the future Geraldton Short Stay will meet community need and expectations. 

Project scoping

In July 2021, Communities appointed engagement specialists, Keogh Bay, to carry out stakeholder engagement activities to help determine the size and build design of the Geraldton Short Stay. More than 70 regional stakeholders – including around 50 Aboriginal people – were consulted, with feedback provided through the sessions helping to shape the overall look and feel of the accommodation.  

Findings from the stakeholder engagement have informed the initial build design and are contained in the Rapid Review of the Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation: Summary of Findings Report. The summary does not include every stakeholder comment or finding, rather those that were commonly communicated or critically important.

Build design

In September 2021, Geraldton-based architects, Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects, and Communities commenced engagement activities with Aboriginal communities, Elders, Traditional Owners and stakeholders across the Mid-West Gascoyne region to ensure the final design of the Short Stay is fit-for-purpose and meets the important heritage and cultural needs and considerations of the Aboriginal people who will stay there.

The final design concept was unveiled in early 2023.

Place-based service design

Communities is implementing a regionally responsive ‘place-based’ service model to the Geraldton Short Stay that will define the outcomes expected of the future service provider (operator) in responding to the needs of guests.

Place-based service design consultation and engagement for the Geraldton Short Stay was completed in early 2023 by the Ernst & Young Indigenous Sector Practice. Through a combination of digital and in-person workshops and meetings, the engagement sought feedback from local service providers and potential guests to ensure the service model is responsive to the specific needs of the region.

Resources

• Rapid Review of the Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation: Summary of Findings Report

More information

Further information and updates will be provided on this page as the project progresses.

• Find out more about the project through our Frequently Asked Questions.
• Service providers seeking more information about the project can view the Service Provider Frequently Asked Questions.
• If you have any other queries about the project, or would like to register for updates, please email aboriginalshortstay@communities.wa.gov.au.
• Find more information and news about our other Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation in our program that are underway.