Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

$6.5 million extra for Indigenous housing in Tennant Creek

Joint Media Release with:

  • Warren Snowdon MP, Member for Lingiari

The Australian Government today announced an additional $6.5 million for new Indigenous housing in Tennant Creek to tackle serious overcrowding in the community.

These funds will help ease overcrowding across the seven community living areas in Tennant Creek and are in addition to the $30 million already committed for the community areas as part of the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP).

SIHIP is a $647 million joint Australian and Northern Territory Government program to improve housing in Northern Territory Indigenous communities. SIHIP represents a major capital investment for both governments. Long term leases must be in place before work can commence.

The Northern Territory Government and the Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation have signed a lease agreement which will see the NT Government sublease community living areas for 60 years.

The lease agreement means civil works will begin next month and housing construction and refurbishment work can begin as planned in early 2009.

A key focus of SIHIP is to provide local jobs and training opportunities for Indigenous people and specific targets for employment and training will be set.

It will give Indigenous people access to job and training opportunities in their own communities, opening the door to future job opportunities including construction, while delivering long lasting benefits for their communities.

Decent housing is essential to keep families and children safe and improve their health and life outcomes. It is central to the Australian and Northern Territory Government’s commitment to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.

The new funding will support the ongoing work by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation to deliver better social and economic outcomes for communities in the region.