Survey aims to gauge size of housing need

Housing is the number one issue driving a new survey of Aboriginal people taking place in Broome. The survey aims to fill widely recognised gaps in statistical information on Aboriginal people.

Commissioned by Nyamba Buru Yawuru and being undertaken by the Kimberley Institute, the survey is using local indigenous people to find out about the issues facing Aboriginal people in Broome.

Henry Councillor, who is managing the survey, said there was not enough information about how many Aboriginal people live in Broome.

“The shire tells us there’s 3000 Aboriginal people in Broome, but we know there’s more,” he said. “We’re using local people to conduct the survey because they know about the issues facing indigenous people in Broome.”

The survey will ask people if they’re from Broome and if not, where they are from and why they are in Broome.

Mr Councillor said the survey was also targeting itinerant visitors to Broome and would ask what had brought them to the town.

The survey is not just aimed at Yawuru people but will be used by them to help make decisions about issues affecting Aboriginal people in the area, including demand for housing.

While the survey is not linked to the national census taking place later this year, Mr Councillor hoped people taking part in the survey would be more likely to participate in the census.