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 is being built by local Geraldton builder and Registered Aboriginal Business, 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 commenced in February 2024 with the building activities well underway.
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 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.
An invitation for expressions of interest from local Yamatji artists, to design the entry, a glass mural and half basketball court for the Short Stay, closed in May 2024 with the successful artists notified in August 2024. Nicole Dickerson will be designing the half basketball court and entry mural, is based in Geraldton, and has participated in numerous group exhibitions in Perth and the Midwest. 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.
Justin Martin, who will be designing the glazing in the common dining area, is based in Perth. 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 notified.
- October 2024 – Service Provider Request for Tender released on Tenders WA.
- Mid-2026 – Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation planned to open to guests.
Service Provider Request for Tender
Communities has released a tender seeking a Service Provider t o operate the Short Stay service when it opens in mid-2026. The Request for Tender is restricted to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Registered Aboriginal Businesses to ensure the Geraldton Short Stay service is culturally safe and appropriate.
Service Providers interested in participating in the Request can access all details on the Tenders WA website and in the Service Provider Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
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 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 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
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.
Media statements
Announcements
Builder appointed for Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation
Early Tender Advice – Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation
