The Wellington Aboriginal Community Working Party in their Community Action Plan had prioritised children, young people and families as their key development area. One of the high prioritised initiatives was the establishment of a short term accommodation facility in Wellington to address the need for accommodation for families and friends visiting inmates at the Wellington Correctional Centre.

The Wellington Correctional facility completed late last year will provide beds for up to 640 prisoners when at full capacity and will incarcerate men and women in minimum, medium and maximum security.  With significantly high Indigenous incarceration rates, and due to the gaol’s proximity to the western region, it is anticipated at least 60-70% of the inmate population will be Indigenous

The need for the short-stay accommodation facility will be initially met by provision of fixed term funding for a period of 2 years from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. This funding has been provided to CTHA as the auspice agency for the initial 2 year period. During this period future re-current funding will be sought from Aboriginal Hostels Ltd or other appropriate funding agency, and CTHA will be striving to transfer management of the project to a suitable Indigenous organisation at the end of the initial 2 year period with appropriate training, support and mentoring if required.

CTHA have successfully negotiated a 2 year lease on a large family home which will accommodate 11 guests and a Night Attendant each night the service is open to receive guests. The service will be open to Guests on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and all guests will leave the service on Monday.  Guests will be provided with accommodation, breakfast and dinner and will be charged a fee per person per night.

For more information please contact service staff on 02 6845 4425