A temporary refuge for women and children in Perth’s northern suburbs escaping domestic violence will now be established as a permanent facility, following an open letter from Scarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey calling for the facility to be retained, which was backed by more than 800 signatories.
The refuge, which opened last month, is currently providing interim accommodation for up to five women and their children while the Stirling Women’s Centre undergoes a $22.6 million redevelopment and expansion.
Now, the State Government has announced it will allocate $18.1m in the 2026–27 Budget to expand crisis accommodation at the centre, transforming the government-owned site into a dedicated 15-unit modern facility within the City of Stirling.
In the open letter addressed to Minister for Child Protection and Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Jessica Stojkovski, Mr Aubrey called on the Government to support his local and surrounding communities by making the temporary facility permanent.
“The new Stirling Women’s Refuge is a significant and welcome investment for the northern suburbs, and I strongly support its delivery,” Mr Aubrey said.
“However, the City of Stirling spans 16 suburbs across a large portion of Perth’s inner and northern corridor, and there remains a clear and growing need for accessible, localised support services within the Scarborough electorate and surrounding communities.
“Scarborough is the third highest-density suburb in Western Australia, with Doubleview and Innaloo also in the top five. This density means access to services close to home is even more important.”
Camera IconScarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey wrote an open letter to the Minister for Child Protection and Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Jessica Stojkovski, calling for the shelter to become permanent. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
Mr Aubrey also advocated for the refuge during a grievance speech in Parliament, stating there was a “clear and pressing need” within his community to support those in need.
“In my life, I have been exposed to coercive control and family and domestic violence, and through that lived experience, I understand what a scourge it is in our community,” he said in his speech.
“I have also witnessed the impacts of family and domestic violence within my own community. During two ride-alongs with Scarborough police in my last term, I saw that FDV incidents were a prominent part of their workload.
“Addressing family and domestic violence demands a whole-of-community effort across government, institutions and society as a whole at all levels of our society and all levels of government.”
Through safe, trauma-informed accommodation and care, the new refuge is expected to support women, with or without children.
Camera IconThe facility was only set to be temporary while the Stirling Women’s Centre undergoes a $22.6 million expansion and redevelopment. Credit: Facebook
Ms Stojkovski said once this project and the Stirling redevelopment were complete, capacity for crisis accommodation in the northern corridor would have increased sixfold, with 100 refuge units delivered across WA since 2017 and 108 now in the pipeline.
“Following my visit to this site earlier this year, the Cook Labor Government identified an opportunity to make this permanent, which would help meet demand for crisis accommodation in the north metropolitan area,” Ms Stojkovski said.
“This major project represents a significant step forward in boosting crisis accommodation in the northern suburbs, delivering on our commitment to build safe and inclusive communities.”
Camera IconPremier Roger Cook, City of Stirling mayor Mark Irwin, Minister for Child Protection and Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Jessica Stojkovski, and Scarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey at the new shelter. Credit: Facebook/Stuart Aubrey MLA
The redevelopment is expected to embed inclusive design principles to ensure the facility is safe, accessible and culturally appropriate.
Work on the service model will begin shortly, with women and young people with lived experience set to co-design it alongside the family and domestic violence sector, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and multicultural advisory groups.
The redevelopment and expansion of the Stirling Women’s Centre is expected to be completed by late 2028.