Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation - frequently asked questions

Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation is a short term pay-per-stay accommodation option for Aboriginal people who travel to the city or regional centres to access services, or for business, cultural or family reasons. 

They are designed to be safe, culturally appropriate and affordable. Short Stays are not crisis accommodation, transitional housing, a direct or long-term response to homelessness, a medical service, or free.

The Geraldton Short Stay will be built on the corner of Eastward and Blencowe Roads in Utakarra, on a portion of land that is vested in the Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation. 

The control and management of Bundiyarra Reserve was formally granted to Aboriginal people in 1992, and formally vested to Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation in 1994. The founding Elders held the view that a portion of the site should be reserved for short term accommodation to address the need for better housing and services for local Aboriginal people.

When identifying and considering potential locations to build the Geraldton Short Stay, Communities consulted a variety of stakeholders including Midwest Aboriginal Organisations Alliance, Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation and the City of Greater Geraldton to ensure the appropriateness of any future site.

Due to its cultural and heritage significance, proximity to the Geraldton town centre, and the long-standing vision for short term accommodation to be provided onsite, Communities announced its intention to build the Geraldton Short Stay on Bundiyarra Reserve.

In July 2022, Communities entered into a 30-year ground lease agreement with Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation to use a portion of the land to build the short stay accommodation. 

‘Bundiyarra’ is taken from the Wajarri language and means ‘This is a good place to go’. The Bundiyarra site represents the Aboriginal community's views that the Geraldton Short Stay be welcoming, safe and culturally considerate of all language groups. 

In December 2023, following a restricted tender process, local Geraldton builder GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd was appointed to build the Geraldton Short Stay. 

Construction is to expected to commence in early 2024 with completion anticipated in late 2025.

In July 2021, Communities appointed engagement specialists 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.

In late 2021, Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects held consultation sessions with Aboriginal communities, Elders, Traditional Owners and stakeholders across the Mid-West Gascoyne on the co-design of the build. The results from the sessions were released in June 2022.

Additionally, Communities completed its ‘place-based’ service design consultation and engagement in early 2023, seeking feedback from local service providers and potential guests to ensure the final design is fit-for-purpose and meets the important heritage and cultural needs and considerations of the Aboriginal people who will stay there.

This regionally responsive ‘place-based’ service model will define the outcomes expected of the future service provider (operator) in responding to the needs of guests.

Geraldton-based architects Eastman Poletti Sherwood Architects were appointed by Communities to design the Geraldton Short Stay. 

Following consultation with the local community and key stakeholders, the following considerations were incorporated into the building and landscaping design:

• The design of the Geraldton Short Stay, and the services offered by the future service provider (operator) will ensure Aboriginal people will be at the forefront of the Short Stay.
• The design of the Geraldton Short Stay has been influenced by important heritage and cultural considerations, including songlines, sacred sites and watering holes.
• The layout of the Short Stay accommodation buildings groups individual units together, accessible units together and family units together to ensure privacy and safety. 
• The design fosters inclusivity and flexibility to respond to family considerations and enables the accommodation of as many guests as possible.
• The Short Stay will be a welcoming place that is family friendly and drug and alcohol free. 
• Short Stays prioritise guest safety and service, providing security and 24-hour concierge, the provision of up to two meals per day, transport (through a shuttle bus), a mixture of room types and other facilities, with a strong focus on outdoor recreation.

The Geraldton Short Stay will:

• Provide Aboriginal people and families with safe, culturally appropriate, and affordable short-term accommodation options.
• Help improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal people by enabling family groups to remain together while travelling; as well as facilitating access to essential services and supports, and training and education opportunities.
• Help prevent potential rough sleeping and overcrowding. 
• Boost job creation, Aboriginal employment opportunities and economic activity. 

The Geraldton Short Stay is expected to be completed in late 2025 and open to guests in 2026. Although further delays are not expected, the project is not immune to trade, transport and material constraints currently seen within the construction industry.

The Geraldton Short Stay will accommodate Aboriginal people and families from across the Mid-West Gascoyne region and beyond who travel to Geraldton to access services, or are visiting for business, cultural, family or personal reasons.

They are designed to be safe, culturally appropriate and affordable, and have the capability to connect guests to local services. It will be a welcoming place that will be drug and alcohol free.

Short Stays are not:

• crisis accommodation
• transitional housing
• a direct or long-term response to homelessness
• providers of a medical service
• free accommodation.

Like a hotel, guests must be over the age of 18, or accompanied by a parent or guardian to stay at the Short Stay.

The Geraldton Short Stay can accommodate up to 100 guests across 44 units. The unit configurations include 16 single/couple units, 14 family units and 14 universally accessible units.

Consistent with existing regional Short Stays in Broome, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Derby, guests visiting Geraldton will be able to stay for up to 28 days, although the average length of stay is expected to be considerably less (based on the eight-night average stay of guests at the existing regional Short Stays).

There may be reasons for guests to stay longer and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the appointed operator.

Guests need to book their accommodation in advance and pay a nightly rate for the duration of their stay, just as they would in a hotel.

Communities will undertake a Restricted Request for Tender process in 2024, to appoint a non-government organisation, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or an Aboriginal Registered Business to manage and operate the Geraldton Short Stay. 

Geraldton Short Stay will operate similarly to a hotel; where guests pay to stay and are able to access a range of facilities and services on site including outdoor recreation areas and children’s play equipment to encourage families to stay.

Guests can pay a nightly or discounted weekly rate which offers two full meals (breakfast and dinner), fresh sheets and towels, room cleaning and access to local services through an on-site 24-hour front desk support service.

Booking rates will be determined by Communities and the appointed Service Provider in 2024.