Supporting new projects in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory

Projects aimed at boosting employment opportunities and improving health and education services in Aboriginal community are among 34 new projects to share in $13 million from the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA).

The latest round of grants from the ABA will be delivered to 28 Aboriginal organisations.

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin said the Djabulukgu Association will receive $2 million to expand the successful Lakeview tourist park in Jabiru.

The tourist park is Aboriginal owned and run, and all profits go towards community development in the Kakadu West Arnhem Region.

“Every year, thousands of people visit and stay in Jabiru, the main service centre for Kakadu National Park and a stepping stone to the Arnhem plateau,” Ms Macklin said.

“Supporting Lakeview Park to expand, will provide more employment opportunities in the tourism sector – which will mean more job opportunities for local Aboriginal people.”

Ms Macklin also announced Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation will receive funding of $500,000 towards construction costs to upgrade their existing premises and build two new training rooms for staff, such as rangers and night patrol workers.

The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon said the Government would provide $220,000 to the Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation in Tennant Creek.

“These funds will be used to upgrade the Anyinginyi Sport and Recreation facility and enable sport and recreation officers to work with more Aboriginal clients to improve their fitness and health,” Mr Snowdon said.

“Improved health and fitness can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and can help support those clients with health concerns to better manage their condition.”

Senator for the Northern Territory, Trish Crossin, welcomed funding for two projects in Wadeye and on the Tiwi Islands focused on getting women more connected with each other and their community.

In Wadeye, a grant of $465,000 will be used to establish the Wadeye Ngepan Patha (Strong Spirit) Centre, a dedicated community facility for local women. The centre will deliver young mothers’ support groups, mentoring and life skill coaching and mental health services as well as providing support to help local women get into work.

On the Tiwi Islands, $497,000 will be used to support the Tiwi College “Growing Young Women” program, including purchasing new computers and sports equipment.

“Strengthening support for women of all ages is vital to ensuring that the young women of today have the skills and know-how they need to become the strong women of tomorrow,” Senator Crossin said.

The ABA is funded by payments from the Commonwealth Government equivalent to the value of royalties paid by mining interests on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory.

ABA grants are awarded to projects which will help improve the lives of Aboriginal people living in the Northern Territory.

The next application process for grant funding under the ABA will open on 1 August 2012 and will include funding opportunities for large projects of more than $250,000, and small projects of up to $250,000.

Applications close on 31 August and all applications will be assessed and considered at the November meeting of the ABA Advisory Committee.

More detailed information can be found at http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/aboriginals-benefit-account-aba

Aboriginals Benefit Account approved projects: