Continued support for Aboriginal people in the Illawarra

Aboriginal people in the Illawarra region of New South Wales will benefit from improved job opportunities and housing following the extension of the Illawarra Regional Partnership Agreement.

The Federal Labor Government will provide $170,000 in 2013-14 to support the agreement which focuses on achieving sustainable social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people, particularly increasing the number of jobs in the Illawarra.

The Agreement between 16 Illawarra Aboriginal organisations, the Australian and New South Wales Government and two Local Councils was first signed in 2010. It was supported by more than $760,000 funding from the Australian Government which has enabled local indigenous people to take advantage of the ‘green’ economy and National Broadband Network business opportunities.

The extended Agreement sets out a plan to continue this important work to improve employment, leadership and housing in the region.

This includes the development of a business plan by Regional Development Australia Illawarra for new environmental projects in the Illawarra and on the South Coast.

A key feature of the extended Agreement will be a mid-term evaluation to help inform future planning to ensure the needs of the local Aboriginal community are met.

Regional Partnership Agreements provide Aboriginal community representatives, Australian, State and Territory governments and key community stakeholders a way to work together to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.

These agreements are a practical way to identify priority needs and set out a plan to deliver coordinated services, eliminating duplication and gaps.