The State Government invests in improving the wellbeing of Aboriginal people by providing affordable short stay accommodation in regional areas.
Through the WA Government’s Midwest Recovery Plan, the Department of Housing and Works delivered the $28.5 million Geraldton Short Stay project in March 2026.
BRACKS is operated by Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation. The service provides safe, culturally appropriate and affordable accommodation for up to 100 Aboriginal people visiting the Geraldton region.
The service addresses the need for additional accommodation in Geraldton by providing pay-per-stay accommodation for Aboriginal people who visit to access services, or participate in business, educational, cultural or family activities.
Local construction and employment targets
Local Geraldton builder and Registered Aboriginal Business, GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd, constructed the project on the corner of Eastward and Blencowe roads. This portion of State land is vested in the Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation.
The project created more than 270 jobs within the Geraldton region.
GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd has demonstrated experience relating to Aboriginal employment and either reached or exceeded their targets during the construction period.
Targets reached:
- 80 per cent local businesses engaged within Midwest-Gascoyne and Murchison regions
- three new training courses delivered
- 10 high school work experience opportunities.
Targets exceeded:
- 9,283 Aboriginal construction hours (target was 8,200)
- 25 Aboriginal employees (target was 10)
- eight Aboriginal apprentices (target was two)
- eight certificated trainees working on the project (target was six).
Yamatji artists commissioned
Two Yamatji artists were commissioned to work on the Geraldton Short Stay project.
Yamatji artist Nicole Dickerson designed the half basketball court mural, ‘On Yamaji Country, We Connect’. She has a number of awards, commissions and public artworks under her belt. Her work is influenced by contemporary Aboriginal art and her strong ties to her country, sharing stories, memories of family traditions and times spent at special places. Nicole is connected to the Amangu, Naaguja, Wilunyu People and also to the Ngarluma people on her mother’s side.
Yamatji artist Justin Martin designed the glazing in the common dining area titled ‘Goaloo wooth Ngoora’, which means ‘The Rainbow Camp’. His paintings and sculpture works can be found across the metropolitan area from Rockingham to Joondalup, including schools, shopping centres, Perth Zoo and Whiteman Park. Justin’s art is based around traditional techniques and stories passed down from his grandmothers, well-known Yamatji artist Joan Martin and prominent Noongar elder Theresa Walley. Justin runs cultural tours, school and community workshops and practices the ancient techniques of traditional art through his business, Djurandi Dreaming.
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.
- February 2024 – GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd commenced on-ground works.
- June 2023 – Early Tender Advice made available on Tenders WA.
- May 2024 – An invitation for expressions of interest for public art works for the Short Stay closed.
- August 2024 – Successful artist for public artworks announced.
- October 2024 – Service Provider Request for Tender released on Tenders WA.
- October 2025 – Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation announced as Geraldton Short Stay service provider.
- March 2026 – Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation opens to guests as Bundiyarra Regional Aboriginal Community Kinship Stay.
Service Provider
Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation was announced as the Geraldton Short Stay service provider in October 2025 and began managing the operation in March 2026.
Bundiyarra has delivered programmes to benefit the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Aboriginal people across the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Murchison regions since 1991. The organisation will provide a broad range of services to guests, including guest management and support, transportation, meals, laundry, cleaning and maintenance.
Bundiyarra ensures the service is culturally safe and appropriate.
MercyCare, a community service organisation with experience managing Western Australian Aboriginal Short Stays, is partnering with Bundiyara to develop the governance, mentoring and capacity-building of BRACKS.
For more information, visit our Service Provider Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
Community and stakeholder consultation
The State Government engaged extensively with key community members and stakeholders, from project initiation through to build and service design development, to ensure the Geraldton Short Stay would meet community need and expectations.
Project scoping
In July 2021, the Department appointed engagement specialists, Keogh Bay, to engage with stakeholders to inform 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.
Stakeholder engagement has informed the initial build design and the main findings are 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 the Department 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
The Department of Housing and Works implemented a regionally responsive ‘place-based’ service model to the Geraldton Short Stay that defines the outcomes expected of the 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
More information
Visit the Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Frequently Asked Questions page or email: aboriginalshortstay@dohw.wa.gov.au.
For information and news about other projects, visit Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation.
Media statements
Announcements
Bundiyarra to deliver services at Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay
Builder appointed for Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation
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