City to host think tank with groups across nation to explore ways of tackling Aboriginal homelessness
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will later this year host a 'think tank' involving groups from across Australia to tackle the pressing issue of Aboriginal homelessness.
This follows a city delegation putting the issue on the agenda during an annual national conference in Canberra last week.
City representatives attended the 2025 Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly, where they advocated for stronger support for regional Australia.
The assembly is the largest annual gathering of local government leaders in Australia, providing a national platform to influence Federal policy and advocate for community needs.
Led by mayor Glenn Wilson, the city's delegation put forward three key motions, which Mr Wilson said were grounded in real challenges being felt not only in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, but also across other communities in regional and remote Australia.
'When you're 600km from the nearest capital city, you face unique challenges, and it's important that decision-makers in Canberra understand that,' he said.
The city's first motion called for a nationwide response to transitional Aboriginal homelessness, highlighting the growing number of people travelling from remote communities to regional cities such as Kalgoorlie-Boulder without access to safe temporary accommodation or support services.
The motion was based on findings from the city's recent landmark report on transitional Aboriginal homelessness and antisocial behaviour, which brought together insights from more than 30 stakeholders across WA, South Australia, and the Northern Territory, including Aboriginal organisations, police, and community services.
The report emphasised the need for culturally informed, community-led responses that reflected the realities of regional areas and supported Closing the Gap priorities.
'We're seeking to work with First Nations leaders to design fit-for-purpose solutions not just for housing, but for the support services that go hand-in-hand with it,' Mr Wilson said.
'Local governments are doing what we can, but we need national co-ordination and investment to make to ensure solutions are effective long-term.'
To continue driving this national conversation, the city intends to work with stakeholders to deliver a 'think tank' later this year, bringing together representatives from across Australia to explore best-practice solutions.
A second motion calls for a full review of the Modified Monash Model, which determines funding eligibility for health and aged-care professionals based on location.
The city said Kalgoorlie-Boulder shared the same classification as coastal towns much closer to major cities, despite its remote location.
'The MMM was last updated in 2019. It is outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose. This motion is simply asking for fairness,' Mr Wilson said.
'A better model would help attract more doctors, nurses, and specialists to regional communities like ours, where we really need them, and in turn improve the availability of health services.'
The third motion requested the Federal Government reduce red tape and provide better support for local governments trying to secure infrastructure funding, particularly for early planning and feasibility work.
'Most grants are set up for shovel-ready projects, but councils, especially regional cities like Kalgoorlie-Boulder, often can't afford to get to that stage without support,' Mr Wilson said.
'Planning for infrastructure can cost a significant amount of money, and we want to see more targeted funding and fewer hoops to jump through so that projects have a chance to get off the ground.'
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