The McGowan Government has today announced a site in the southern suburbs has been chosen as the location for dedicated short-term accommodation, providing an affordable place to stay for Aboriginal visitors to Perth.
The Perth Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation project will be located on a 7,000 square metre site in Hamilton Street, Cannington, chosen for its size and proximity to amenities, services and public transport.
Aboriginal Short Stays are designed to provide culturally appropriate and affordable accommodation for people who travel to Perth or regional centres to access services, and for business, cultural or family reasons.
The Perth Short Stay is a 2021 McGowan Government election commitment and will be modelled on existing facilities operating successfully for some years in Kalgoorlie, Broome and Derby.
The development will comprise a range of single and family guest accommodation units including universal access rooms, laundry facilities, recreation spaces and communal areas.
The State Government is engaging with Aboriginal people, local government, the community services sector, other government agencies and a range of other stakeholders to ensure the Perth Short Stay is designed and delivered to meet the needs of guests.
Construction on the Perth Short Stay is expected to commence in 2024, and plans for two further Short Stays in Geraldton and Kununurra are well advanced. It is expected to create construction jobs and generate income for businesses.
The State Government will announce a Request for Tender in December this year for architects to design the Perth project.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
"WA's existing Aboriginal Short Stays have been critical in improving outcomes for Aboriginal people in the regions by providing a safe and secure place to stay and reducing rough sleeping and overcrowding in public housing.
"The Perth Short Stay will be designed with Elders, Aboriginal people and organisations from across the State to ensure it meets the needs of future guests.
"High take-up and use and favourable feedback from Aboriginal community members on current Short Stays has played an important role in extending the model to other areas of the State with demonstrated demand.
"The establishment of three new Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation services in Perth, Geraldton and Kununurra will ensure safe, culturally-considered and affordable short-term accommodation is available to support Aboriginal visitors from regional, remote and metropolitan areas."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
"Aboriginal Short Stays have been immensely effective in regional centres, enabling an affordable place to stay when accessing services or attending sorry business.
"The Perth facility was a key election commitment and is part of a range of measures aimed at Closing the Gap in Western Australia.
"Housing and accommodation are key components of Closing the Gap and we know from our broad consultation that Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation facilities help achieve better outcomes in other areas like health and education.
As stated by Cannington MLA Bill Johnston:
"I'm pleased the McGowan Labor Government has secured a site for this Short Stay facility in the electorate of Cannington.
"Cannington is one of the most culturally diverse electorates in the State and I look forward to seeing this Short Stay facility play a significant role in assisting not only the local community, but visitors who have travelled from regional and remote areas."
