Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

$3.75m for youth accommodation in Tennant Creek

Joint Media Release with:

  • Warrenn Snowdon MP, Minister for Indigenous Health, Member for Lingiari
    Gerry McCarthy MLA, Member for Barkly

Indigenous students in Tennant Creek will have access to a safe place to stay, with the Australian Government contributing $3.75 million for the construction of a new hostel.

The hostel will provide accommodation for young people involved in training, education and employment in the Northern Territory town.

The Australian Government will work together with the Northern Territory Government and the Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation (JCAC) to construct the facility.

The hostel will consist of two sets of duplexes – one for men and one for women – and will be built on existing serviced sites in Tennant Creek.

Each duplex set will contain eight bedrooms, and will be managed by a “house parent” who will live on-site.

The hostel will provide Indigenous students with safe accommodation while they are in town for study, training or employment, giving them the best possible chance of furthering their education, getting a job and building a career.

Construction is expected to commence in 2011-12, following further discussions with the local community about design. The construction will also provide opportunities for local Indigenous people to gain building qualifications and experiences.

Julalikari Council works to create jobs, provide training and manage accommodation for Aboriginal people in Tennant Creek and throughout the surrounding Barkly region.