Six new family units for Kalgoorlie short-stay

Monday, 12 December 2016
 
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• Murray River North Pty Ltd awarded contract for upgrade to Kalgoorlie Aboriginal Short-Stay Accommodation 

An upgrade of the Kalgoorlie Aboriginal Short-Stay Accommodation (KASSA) facility will begin in coming weeks after Housing Minister Brendon Grylls today announced the awarding of a tender.

Mr Grylls said the upgrade, made possible by a $1.3 million investment through the Liberal National Government's Royalties for Regions, would be undertaken by Murray River North.

"Kalgoorlie-Boulder is a key service centre in the Goldfields, with a high demand for short-term accommodation from Aboriginal visitors," he said.

"The first stage of this facility opened in 2013 with capacity for 41 guests and has since provided in excess of 16,000 bed nights of accommodation.

"Upgrades to the facility will include six new family units with ensuites, new lighting, commercial-grade air-conditioning, security fencing, landscaping, paths and driveways."

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the KASSA facility was critical in meeting the needs of Aboriginal people living in remote communities in the Goldfields and ensuring they had safe short-term accommodation when visiting Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

"Up to 10 per cent of Aboriginal populations in regional centres are temporary residents from smaller remote communities and many people come into towns such as Kalgoorlie to access important government services and visit family," Mr Redman said. 

"Investment in regional infrastructure and services is fundamental in supporting the development of strong and sustainable regions."

Short-stay accommodation facilities currently operate in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Derby, with a third to commence construction in Broome in the coming months.

The Department for Child Protection and Family Support funds and manages the operation of the Kalgoorlie facility through a service agreement with its not-for-profit partner, the Australian Red Cross Society.  Since the facility opened, the department has provided funding of more than $4.4 million for its operation.

Child Protection Minister Andrea Mitchell said the centre provided a culturally appropriate response to the needs of Aboriginal visitors from remote communities.

Fact File

• Kalgoorlie short-stay facility was the first of its kind in WA and has provided more than 16,000 bed nights since opening in 2013
• More than 9,500 bed nights have also been provided by the Red Cross at a former community housing complex in Outridge Terrace, Kalgoorlie-Boulder