Crisis accommodation capacity now dire as population and concerns skyrocket across Augusta-Margaret River

Figures have renewed calls for greater investment in a crisis shelter closer to Margaret River amid reports services in Busselton and Bunbury are reaching capacity. Population growth in the Augusta-Margaret River shire was heaping pressure on outlying services and local social workers believed it was time to treat Margaret River as its own hub. Among those were Just Home deputy chair Michala McMahon who said the closest women’s refuge being 40 minutes away wasn’t good enough. “There is a stark divide between the haves and have-nots in the region and an increase in homelessness,” she said. “Imagine having to flee your home in the middle of the night, without any money or a car. “If you manage to find safety at the refuge, how do you then maintain your job in the local community if you can’t commute back and forth?” A Department of Communities spokesperson said more than half a billion dollars had been invested in family and domestic violence prevention since 2017, including an almost $19 million “uplift” for refuge operators in December. “The Department of Communities funds nine family and domestic violence services which are available for residents from the Augusta-Margaret River region and the surrounding areas,” they said. “This includes access to accommodation, in-home supports such as the Safe At Home program and counselling services.” However, questions remained about how many shire residents were able to access those supports — or were even aware of them — amid ongoing lobbying by the shire for the State to review its perceptions of Bunbury services as adequate for Augusta-Margaret River. Warren-Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts recently met with the local women’s refuge working group to discuss shortfalls which were now extending to whole families. “I’m fully aware of how urgent this situation is,” Mr Eatts said. “People in crisis — particularly women and children fleeing family violence — cannot wait years for housing solutions that meet basic safety and dignity standards. We need action now.” The reports follow concerns reported by the Times the housing crisis was also heaping pressure on families facing even amicable separation because of the lack of alternative accommodation. A State Government spokesperson said housing markets were under pressure worldwide but Labor was “doing everything it can to bolster the supply of housing throughout the State”.