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There is an opportunity to develop a laundry service that caters for all of the Tjurubalan communities resourced by CDEP participants with the assistance of a business mentor or philanthropic investor. A partnership with one of the communities in particular Mindibungu being strategically placed to offer a regional laundry service would be targeted, possibly with micro businesses in each of the townsites. With a labour source funded initially through the CDEP program the activity would offer part time employment of up to three jobs. Training and development of employees is minimal due to the low skill requirements, however job satisfaction and the creation of real jobs would have significant social benefits. Keypoints
- The need for a laundry service is essential and requires implementation and planning now.
- The requirement is for a Laundry service that offers washing, drying, ironing, sanitising, folding and steam cleaning that caters for agencies, service providers and the aged and disadvantaged. This business could service the communities of Halls Creek, Mindibungu, Kundat Djaru, Mulan, Wirrimanu and outlying areas.
- A community owned company that would provide the CDEP labour and the market and may also provide a suitable property. The community investment can be to own the business, provide labour and the equipment and infrastructure but would require the services of a manger and mentor that also comes with experience with the industry and technical expertise.
Background
The COAG WA Trial Site which includes the Tjurabalan Native Title Land Corporation and 5 communities of Ringer Soak (Kundat Djaru), Billiluna (Mindibungu), Mulan, Balgo (Wirrimanu) and Yagga Yagga provide an opportunity for a laundry service to be establiahed. No laundry services exist within the region. The various organisations that would use this service cater for themselves or do not offer the service at all.
Significant health implications are created due to the lack of this service and the positive outcomes would be significant for the area. Currently service providers in health, education, CDEP and aged care have no options other than to cater for themselves or not carry out a service at all.
The township of Halls Creek is experiencing a rapid growth in economic activities due to increased mining and resources investment. Currently laundry services do not exist in the Halls Creek township and if required are serviced using road transport from other regional centres.
The significant benefits for the communities are to achieve improved health conditions for the aged and disadvantaged. Domestic washing machines are expensive to purchase and are not common in households.
Opportunity
There is an opportunity to develop a laundry service that caters for all of the communities resourced by CDEP participants with the assistance of a business mentor or philanthropic investor.
A partnership with one of the communities in particular Mindibungu being strategically placed to offer a regional laundry service would be targeted, possibly with micro businesses in each of the townsites. With a labour source funded initially through the CDEP program the activity would offer part time employment of up to three jobs. Training and development of employees is minimal due to the low skill requirements, however job satisfaction and the creation of real jobs would have significant social benefits.
How
The business offers the service with a three-day turnaround using existing transport networks. Customers may enter a service contract with the laundry service that will be charged on a per item basis. Transportation bags will be offered and coded that identifies the source of the laundry. This could be dropped of at each of the community stores and picked up and delivered by regular transport operators who service the community stores. Alternatively, small laundries could be established in each location that would undertake part of the delivery, washing and processing cycles. After the service is completed the laundry can be packed to await delivery to the townsite of origin or collection.
Customers can be notified that the service has been completed via their local community store. A purchase order system for major users or payment in advance (like dry-cleaning services) would be ideal. The governance, financial and business management can be determined by a business mentor or service provider and should be the subject of consideration in any business plan or proposal.
Where
Could be regionally based in Halls Creek to open up market potential or at one of the communities most likely Mindibungu which provides central access to the region. The Halls Creek option may give security and longevity of assets, though a business in Halls Creek may reduce the service delivery to the communities. Again this should be the subject of consideration in any business plan or proposal.
Capital Investment.
Subject to the nature of any proposal and the level of capital investment proposed, therefore the level of capital and infrastructure costs could vary greatly.
| Equipment | Cost |
| Industrial washing machines | $6,000 |
| Industrial Tumble dryers | $3,000 |
| Steam Cleaners and equipment | $5,000 |
| Office equipment | $2,500 |
| Packaging equipment furniture | $5,000 |
| Building applications and fit out | $100,000 |
| Total | $121,500 |
Who to contact to develop this proposal:
Mr Peter Grundy - Office of Aboriginal Economic Development 08 91681044peter.grundy@doir.wa.gov.au
Mr Noel Mason - Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation 08 91688619 balgoceo@bigpond.com
Mr Daniel Owen - DOTARS - Canberra 02 6274 8001
daniel.owen@dotars.gov.au
Lead Organisation/Agency
Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation
Type of Mentoring Needed
Business Partnership
Community Partnership
Enterprise Development
Joint Ventures
Type of Investment Needed
Venture capital investment
Subject(s)
Laundry
Region(s)
Western Australia - Kimberely - Tjurabulan
Most Recently Presented At
Yawuru Trading Floor, 19 May 2004
First Presented At
Yawuru Trading Floor, 19 May 2004
For further information
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