Short-stay hostel gets council nod

Construction of Broome’s long-awaited short-stay hostel aimed at supporting indigenous visitors to the town is expected to start later this year.

The development of the Broome Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation facility on Dickson Drive was supported by Shire of Broome councillors at last month’s ordinary council meeting subject to a few minor planning conditions.

It aims to provide Aboriginal people with a secure, affordable and culturally-appropriate place to stay when they visit the town for medical and other reasons.

The project will be developed by the Housing Authority with $21 million allocated through the Royalties for Regions program.

Concept plans reveal the BASSA facility, which will be strictly alcohol and drug-free, will comprise 22 accommodation units to cater for up to 108 people, a caretaker residence, a dining hall and kitchen area, a reception and administration building, gazebo structures, two carparks, a basketball court and a children’s playground.

Significant landscaping will also be installed on site and within the Pembroke Road and Dickson Drive verges.

The project is expected to go out to tender next month.

Shire president Ron Johnston said it was exciting to finally reach this milestone and said the BASSA facility would be a “fantastic asset” for Broome and Kimberley people.

The milestone marks an end to years of negotiations to establish a facility in the town.

Broome lost out on project funding in 2012 after failing to agree on a suitable location with the State Government.

The money was used to build a similar facility in Derby which opened in September 2014.

But after extensive talks with traditional owners, Housing Minister Colin Holt announced earlier this year that the Government had identified a suitable site for the facility, earmarking a portion of Yawuru-owned land on the corner of Dickson Drive and Pembroke Road.

Mr Johnston said construction of the facility could start as early as September.