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Victoria Hotel project to drive Aboriginal employment

A Pilbara-based business has been awarded a $4.4 million contract for the redevelopment of the historic Victoria Hotel in Roebourne.

In June, Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan halted the initial contracting process which could have seen the works awarded to contractors outside the region with no real focus on providing training and work for the Roebourne community.

An Aboriginal employment training model has been developed for the project to maximise employment opportunities through traineeships and local business engagement.

GBSC Yurra will commence work on the major redevelopment project next month, with a focus on creating long-term, meaningful employment opportunities for local Aboriginal people.

The company has established working relationships with North Regional TAFE, Roebourne Senior High School, Roebourne Regional Prison and Aboriginal employment provider REFAP, to oversee the implementation of the Aboriginal employment training model.

The project is made possible with an equal investment of $2 million from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program, the Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund, and the Yindjibarndi Capital Trust.

Once complete, the Victoria Hotel will incorporate commercial space for small businesses, a visitor information centre, an eatery and a multi-purpose function space. Despite the name, the Victoria Hotel will not operate as a licensed premises.