Housing Strategy

Gumala's Housing Strategy is designed to ensure that our Members have access to affordable rental accommodation. It involves sourcing land and constructing appropriate residential accommodation for our Members to rent in the Pilbara. On the back of the Gumala housing survey and subsequent report, which highlighted housing needs of our Members throughout the Pilbara, Gumala is also fully committed to pursuing our Members’ Homeland Movement vision.

Gumala is currently focusing on projects in South Hedland, Roebourne and Tom Price – land has been identified in those areas and is more accessible. After this, Gumala will be looking at housing solutions in other Pilbara towns including Onslow, Paraburdoo and Karratha, as well as the communities surrounding Tom Price.

Gumala is committed to a 5-year plan to construct approximately 150 homes for our Traditional Owners and their families by 2016. Gumala is looking to share the costs of building houses with Government and identifying reputable firms to provide their goods and services at fair rates.

TOM PRICE AND SOUTH HEDLAND LAND PURCHASES

In 2011 Gumala purchased seven individual lots of residential land in Tom Price at an auction that took place in Tom Price in late February 2011. Gumala Aboriginal Corporation successfully bid for the lots on behalf of the General Gumala Foundation Trustee, Gumala Investments Pty Ltd. The lots range from 684–730m2 each and are located in Warrara Street, Tom Price.

In mid-2010 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation negotiated the purchase of land in South Hedland. The contract was signed by Gumala Investments Pty Ltd (GIPL) and the WA Department of Housing for the purchase of 10 residential lots of land in the Demarchi sub-division.

The next step is to finalise negotiations with the Department of Housing relating to the securing of funding (for construction costs etc) and conditions attached to that funding. Following the finalisation of that step, the construction process will commence in both Tom Price and South Hedland. Further land acquisitions by Gumala and the construction of affordable housing around the Pilbara is planned. Project staff have undertaken the initial scoping of modular building companies who are utilising the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs’ (FACHSIA’s) Indigenous housing guide.

WIRRILIMARRA PILOT PROJECT

In 2010 Gumala successfully brought to fruition the Wirrilimarra Pilot Project. The two new homes are the first residential homes at our remote community of Wirrilimarra (Mulga Downs). In addition to the houses, an ablution block and other facilities including a windmill, two bores and a shed are located on the 20-hectare homeland site.