$1.5 million for remote community projects and new job opportunities
The Australian Government is providing $1.55 million for 18 small-scale NT community projects including more than $600,000 for two important capital projects in Wadeye, the Northern Territory’s largest Indigenous community.
Wadeye, with a population of around 2,500 will receive funding for the construction of a gymnasium next to the sport and recreation hall as well as a new ablutions block at the community’s main oval.
The projects will provide ongoing work during the wet season for local Indigenous trainees at the community’s tilt-up concrete slab factory and will support the community to build up a skilled labour force for future construction projects.
The new gymnasium will be an important community resource and will provide new sport and recreation opportunities for Indigenous people.
Sport can have a powerful role in expanding the life chances for young Indigenous people.
An additional $900,000 will be provided for 16 additional projects that will deliver immediate improvements for remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.
All projects will provide new employment and training opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
In Kintore, $140,000 will be provided to renovate a house to be used as a two bed renal dialysis unit for dialysis patients so local people can receive treatment on country rather than having to make the long trip to Alice Springs.
In Western Arnhem, $230,000 has been approved to construct new freezer and chiller facilities and upgrade existing facilities to improve the range and availability of healthy food for the Warruwi community.
Other projects announced in this funding round include dust suppression and control in Mt Leibig; home cleaning packs to support the delivery of a home living skills program in Harts Range and upgrades to the Tjupi Art Centre in Papunya.
All projects are nominated by communities in conjunction with Government Business Managers and demonstrate the Australian Government’s commitment to work with communities to address community needs and deliver lasting community benefits.
The projects are funded under the Government Business Managers’ Community Capability Fund.
The Australian Government is committed to more Indigenous job and training opportunities as part of its strategy for closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
The full list of project allocations:
| Community | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Yuendumu | Wheelie bins | $10,000 |
| Harts Range | Home cleaning packs | $5,000 |
| Nyirripi | Nyirripi home cleaning program | $10,000 |
| Areyonga | Recreational hall security lighting | $10,612 |
| Mt Liebig | Dust suppression and upgrade of community store equipment | $48,186 |
| Mt Liebig | Dust control | $33,072 |
| Mt Liebig | Repair house for aged care | $12,000 |
| TItjikala | Women’s centre upgrade | $31,366 |
| Hermannsburg | Portable fire fighting unit | $25,000 |
| Papunya and associated outstations; and the communities of Yuendumu, Haast’s Bluff and Alice Springs | Upgrade of the Papunya Tjupi Art Centre bulding | $160,000 |
| Kintore, Papunya, Mt Liebig, Haast’s Bluff, Kiwirrkurra, Tjukala, Docker River, Warburton, Blackstone, Wingellia and Hermannsburg | Kintore dialysis house renovation | $140,000 |
| Ntaria, Areyonga and Wallace Rockhole | Fit out and equip the new NT Emergency Services Headquarters facility at Hermannsburg | $50,000 |
| Wadeye, Palumpa | Ablution facility for the main community sports oval in Wadeye | $402,786 |
| Wadeye | Construction of a gym | $202,996 |
| Wadeye | Top soil for the community sports oval | $90,000 |
| Warruwi | Healthy foods means healthy people – upgrade of community store facilities | $230,000 |
| Marlinja | Water upgrade | $69,674 |
| Ampilatwatja | Paint five houses in the community | $21,136 |