The Marlamanu project is now halfway through construction at our Fremantle warehouse, with units set to be transported to Derby in the second half of 2025. It combines off-site modular fabrication with on-site assembly—an approach that allows us to deliver culturally responsive infrastructure faster, with minimal disruption and greater control over quality.
At WABi Systems, we specialise in construction designed for purpose and place. With patented modular systems and a deep understanding of regional delivery, our solutions are built for remote deployment, social impact, and long-term performance. This project update explains how we’re supporting the delivery of Marlamanu—a pioneering on-country diversionary program in the Kimberley—by combining smarter construction with meaningful community outcomes.
Quick Summary
- Construction of Marlamanu is 50% complete at WABi Systems’ Fremantle warehouse
- Units will be transported to Derby for on-site installation in late 2025
- Project combines off-site modular systems with on-site construction
- Designed to support a culturally-led program for at-risk Kimberley youth
- Delivered in partnership with Troppo Architects and Indigenous leadership
- Supported by the WA Government as a model for place-based youth rehabilitation
A Smarter Approach to Remote Construction
Why Hybrid Construction Works in Remote WA
Delivering buildings in remote regions like the Kimberley comes with distinct challenges—access, climate, workforce availability, and environmental impact. Traditional construction models struggle under these conditions. Our hybrid method solves these constraints by blending off-site fabrication with targeted on-site works, dramatically reducing build time, cost variability, and disruption to the land.
This model ensures structural accuracy, while enabling site-specific adjustments during installation. It’s particularly well suited for projects requiring cultural sensitivity and time-bound delivery—two defining features of the Marlamanu program.
Overview of WABi’s Hybrid System
The Marlamanu build leverages both our Transportable Modular Systems and On-Site Construction expertise. Prefabricated components are constructed in a controlled environment at our Fremantle warehouse—ensuring speed, quality, and safety from the outset. Once on-site in Derby, the units will be installed and integrated with precision-ground systems that require no concrete or site levelling.
This approach minimises environmental impact and allows for efficient, semi-skilled assembly—an important feature for remote or regional projects where skilled labour availability can be limited. It also supports future relocatability or expansion if program needs evolve.
With each module engineered to perform in WA’s diverse climate conditions, the system ensures durability, comfort, and reduced maintenance—key to supporting long-term outcomes for community-based infrastructure like Marlamanu.
About the Marlamanu Program
A Culturally Responsive Alternative for At-Risk Youth
Marlamanu is a community-led diversionary initiative designed to break the cycle of youth incarceration in the Kimberley. Developed by the Ambooriny Burru Foundation, the program offers an early intervention model that supports at-risk young people through cultural reconnection, mentorship, and education—delivered on Country, in Country.
Rather than relocating youth to distant or institutional facilities, Marlamanu keeps them connected to their land, culture, and identity. The program takes a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that promotes healing through traditional knowledge, community-led care, and structured daily routines. Its aim is not only to reduce contact with the justice system, but to help participants build a positive future grounded in culture and purpose.
This is infrastructure with real-world social function: spaces that support learning, healing, and responsibility in a place that speaks directly to its participants.
Indigenous Leadership and Government Support
Marlamanu is Indigenous-led in both vision and governance. The Ambooriny Burru Foundation has partnered with local Elders and community leaders to shape every element of the program—from its physical location to its operating model. It’s this leadership that ensures the program is both culturally safe and locally relevant.
Government has backed the initiative, with the WA Labor Government announcing funding to support construction and operational delivery. As outlined in a recent government media statement, the program reflects a broader commitment to reduce incarceration rates and deliver community-led justice reform.
This alignment between government, Indigenous leadership, and purpose-built infrastructure is what sets Marlamanu apart—and why WABi Systems is proud to contribute practical, scalable construction solutions to support its rollout.
Collaborative Design with Troppo Architects
Designing for Culture, Climate, and Purpose
To ensure the built environment genuinely supports the program’s goals, WABi Systems has worked closely with Troppo Architects—a firm with a longstanding reputation for designing in tune with place, people, and climate. Troppo’s philosophy of “architecture for the tropics” aligns naturally with the needs of this project: thermally comfortable spaces that are low-maintenance, culturally appropriate, and responsive to local conditions.
Together, we’ve developed a layout and building design that prioritises shaded outdoor areas, passive ventilation, durable materials, and flexible use. These aren’t generic facilities; they’re shaped by community input and designed to accommodate mentoring, skills training, and reflective space in a way that honours both Country and culture.
Our modular system allowed Troppo’s design intent to be executed with precision. The integration of architecture and construction methodology means every structure is not only fit for purpose but ready to perform in the Kimberley’s unique conditions.
Project Status and Next Steps
Current Progress in Fremantle
Construction of the transportable units began at our Fremantle warehouse in early 2025. As of today, we’re 50% of the way through fabrication, with steel framing, internal fit-outs, and external cladding progressing on schedule. Working within a controlled warehouse environment has enabled us to maintain build quality while compressing timelines—critical in ensuring the program is delivered within its operational window.
Our modular approach also allows for simultaneous planning of site works in Derby, minimising overlap and eliminating the downtime that typically occurs with linear construction sequences.
Upcoming Freight and Installation Timeline
The units are scheduled for transport to Derby in the second half of 2025. Once on site, our team will handle all final integration, including positioning, ground fixing, and essential service connections—without the need for concrete slabs or levelling.
The process is engineered for speed, accuracy, and low disruption. We’ll coordinate closely with program stakeholders and local teams to ensure the handover is smooth and the site is ready for occupation in line with Marlamanu’s rollout timeline.
Looking Ahead: Purpose-Built Infrastructure for Community Impact
The Marlamanu project brings together everything WABi Systems stands for—smarter construction, social impact, and systems engineered for remote deployment. By combining off-site prefabrication with on-site assembly, we’re delivering a facility that’s efficient, responsive, and designed for lasting community value.
This project is more than a build. It’s a collaboration between Indigenous leadership, government, architects, and construction specialists, all working to support a meaningful alternative to youth incarceration. Our systems and approach have made it possible to deliver this vital infrastructure quickly, sustainably, and in line with cultural needs.
As we prepare for the next phase of freight and installation, our team remains focused on delivering quality outcomes—on time, on budget, and with long-term benefit for the Kimberley. If you’re planning infrastructure for remote or regional deployment, we invite you to speak with us about how our patented modular systems can help.
Contact WABi Systems to discuss your next project—built for purpose, built for community, built to last.
