Contact the Derby Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation Facility on 1300 735 148.
Western Australia’s second Aboriginal short stay accommodation facility was officially opened by Housing Minister Bill Marmion in Derby on Saturday, 4 October.
The joint State and local government venture was funded by an $11.3million grant from the Royalties For Regions program and was delivered on time and under budget.
Director General Grahame Searle, who hosted the launch, said the Department had every reason to be proud of the facility.
"The short stay has been open for a month and has hosted more than 50 visitors since it began accepting guests," Mr Searle said.
"Visitors have already expressed their appreciation at having somewhere safe and affordable to sleep while visiting Derby."
Minister Bill Marmion, centre with Director General Grahame Searle, right, and West Kimberley Regional Manager Shayne Hills, left.
The facility is expected to provide hundreds of Aboriginal visitors with affordable accommodation every month.
"We know up to 200 Aboriginal people are visiting Derby from surrounding communities at any time, with as much as three times that many during the Wet," Mr Searle said.
"I’m sure this facility will do much to reduce the hardship experienced by short-term visitors, especially families with young children."
The facility has hosted more then 50 visitors in its first month of operation
Project Manager Louise Paterson paid tribute to everyone involved in bringing the project to fruition and said the project enjoyed strong community support from the beginning.
"The Shire of Derby West Kimberley have worked closely with us at every stage, from helping us find suitable a suitable site to partnering with us in the community consultation," Louise said.
"Corrective Services have also been a great support helping us with fit-out and are providing the facility with a meal and laundry service as well doing the gardening, while Child Protection and Family Support are managing the facility through their contract with MercyCare and Centacare Kimberley.
“It's been a fabulous project to be part of and it was great to see so many happy guests enjoying the facility at the opening on Saturday.”
The State’s first Aboriginal short stay facility has been operating successfully in Kalgoorlie-Boulder facility for the past 12 months.
Contact the Derby Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation Facility on 1300 735 148.
Minister Bill Marmion with MercyCare staff who will be operating the facility