Media Alert

Immediate Release

Interview Opportunties: Foodbank WA CEO, Kate O’Hara

An update on our Dalyellup hub

We have officially broken ground on a new purpose-built hub in Dalyellup, strengthening support for people experiencing food insecurity across the South West.

The $8 million facility, now under construction by Perkins Builders, will bring together food relief with wraparound services including mental health support through Youth Focus and financial counselling via the Financial Wellbeing Collective. The hub will provide a single, welcoming location where people can access immediate help and longer-term support close to home.

Demand for food relief in the region continues to grow, with the average number of daily clients at Foodbank Bunbury rising from 167 in March 2025 to 190 in March 2026 – a 14 per cent increase in just one year. Last year alone, the Bunbury branch distributed more than 647,000 kilograms of food, equivalent to 1.1 million meals across the South West.

Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara said the Dalyellup hub is designed to support dignity and wellbeing, not just emergency need. “Food stress is rarely just about food,” Ms O’Hara said. “People need a safe, welcoming place where they can access food and be connected to the right supports. This hub allows us to do that in one location, close to where people live.”

“Perkins Builders have worked collaboratively with Foodbank WA Project Team for the past 6 months, recently achieving the key milestone of site commencement. We appreciate the opportunity and trust that Foodbank WA have placed in us, and look forward to delivering another significant facility that will provide an immediate and welcomed outcome to the local community.”

The project has been made possible through strong collaboration across government, corporate and philanthropic partners. Nearly $5 million has been committed by the State Government, including funding from Lotterywest, the Department of Communities’ 2030 Fund and a newly announced $2 million grant. Foodbank WA is investing $1 million, with further support from Minderoo through Telethon, the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Chris and Tia Ellison, the Belarusian Association, Southern Ports and the Shire of Capel. 

Located near public transport and retail amenities, the Dalyellup hub has been designed to reduce stigma, offer choice and provide a welcoming experience for clients.

“This hub will significantly strengthen food relief in the South West and help ensure food is within reach for people doing it tough,” Ms O’Hara said. 

Media contact:
Kath Robinson | Brand and Engagement Manager
kath.robinson@foodbankwa.org.au | 08 9463 3806 | 0414 558 957 

About Foodbank WA

Hello, we’re Foodbank WA. We believe everyone should have access to healthy food. There are Western Australians going without every day, and we are working hard to change that.

We provide food and groceries to those who struggle to afford them. We also deliver nutrition education to promote healthy eating and advocate on behalf of people that experience hunger and food insecurity.

We are here to support Western Australians in times of need. We do this through:

• Providing 9.3 million meals last financial year to those who were doing it tough
• Distributing food and groceries through 550 frontline charities
• Providing breakfast and fruit to 550 schools feeding 27,300 children weekly
• Delivering nutrition education attendances to over 6,546 children, adults and parents

We work with farmers, wholesalers, manufactures and retailers who donate and redirect surplus product to us. This also plays a vital role in tackling food waste and positively contributes to climate change by reducing CO2 emissions arising from landfill.

Our purpose is to Feed. Educate. Advocate.