he proposed Kununurra Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation is a response to the needs of Aboriginal people who travel to Kununurra to access a range of services or are visiting for business, cultural or family reasons. The $20 million facility is being funded by the State Government and plans are a step closer after a tender was released for its architectural and design work in February 2022.

The East Kimberley Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation facility will be purpose-built to provide safe, culturally appropriate and affordable short-term accommodation as well as personalised support services for Aboriginal guests. This will help reduce rough sleeping and overcrowding of housing in Kununurra and improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal people through increased access to essential services and supports, and training, education and employment opportunities.

The $20 million facility is being funded as part of the State Government’s WA Recovery Plan to drive economic and social recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. The project is expected to create an estimated 100 construction jobs and generate about $41 million into the region’s economy.

Plans for the new Aboriginal short stay accommodation facility are now a step closer after the State Government announced the appointment of Franco Carozzi Architects and local firm Mark Phillips Architect to design the new facility. Franco Carozzi Architects were the lead architects for the Derby Aboriginal Short Stay facility and oversaw the construction of the newest facility in Broome, which opened in 2019. The planned facility will offer affordable, family-friendly accommodation for up to 102 visitors a night, with guests able to stay for up to 28 days.

The Department of Communities is managing site selection, design and construction of the accommodation and has engaged with stakeholders in Halls Creek, Wyndham, Warmun, Kalumburu, Balgo, Wadeye and Timber Creek to help inform its plans.

The facility will be the State’s fifth Aboriginal short stay facility and will provide a safe, welcoming and affordable accommodation for Aboriginal people.

Useful documents:

Kununurra Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation Stakeholder Engagement Summary of Findings

The Design tender