Juniper opens Fitzroy Crossing Staff Housing

“Permanent, quality staff accommodation is vital in remote areas to help us attract and retain highly skilled aged care workers,” Mr Bricknell said.

“Over the years we’ve had the support of Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation’s Fitzroy Workers Camp for our staff which continues to play a critical role in providing safe and affordable accommodation for Fitzroy Crossing workers.”

The staff housing project, eight one-bedroom and three two-bedroom modular units, was made possible with the support of local partners and community.

It was built on land leased from the Aboriginal Lands Trust and Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation, Prescribed Body Corporate and native title holder for the Bunuba people. It was supported by funding from the Australian Government under the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Services Program.

Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation CEO Lisa Halton said housing for essential service workers in the Fitzroy Valley was at a critical level and every extra bed that supports the Bunuba people and its language groups was essential.

“If we are not protecting and supporting our Elders to remain on Country with dignity and care, we are failing,” Ms Halton said.

“This accommodation is important to ensuring we have services that enable our Elders to live safely and comfortably wherever they choose.

“Bunuba Dawanagarri Aboriginal Corporation will continue to support initiatives to deliver sustainable, well-governed accommodation for essential services and local workforce needs into the future.”

Mr Bricknell said the project reflected Juniper’s commitment to enabling older Western Australians to remain on Country and connected to the people and places that have sustained them through their lives.

The project was officially opened on May 14 with a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and ribbon cutting event attended by Government officials, local community organisations and Juniper Guwardi Ngadu residents and family.

Work officially began on-site with a soil turning event on 10 June 2025.

The modular homes were built off-site and transported to Fitzroy Crossing, with siteworks, preparation, and service connections carried out by local tradespeople. BOAC supported cultural and environmental monitoring during excavation and soil disturbance.

Juniper operates three residential aged care homes in the Kimberley — Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, and Kununurra — and provides community and home care services in Kununurra and Wyndham.