- Cook Government announces $140 million to improve housing for remote and town-based Aboriginal communities
- Part of Cook Government's $350 million Remote Communities Fund
- First part of funding of $350 million Remote Communities Fund enabled transfer of power and water services
The Cook Labor Government has announced a $140 million investment over four years to improve housing supply for remote and town-based Aboriginal communities.
Thirty residents of Burrinunga community at Derby are the first to benefit through the funding with refurbishment works to nine houses set to begin in March 2024. The extensive works include new bathroom and kitchen fixtures, roof and ceiling repairs, new doors and windows, cabinetry, tiling and fresh paint.
The funding and a Housing Management Agreement between the Department of Communities and the Burrinunga Aboriginal Corporation mean the houses will be refurbished in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and managed and leased by the Department on behalf of the Corporation.
Negotiations for Housing Management Agreements with four other Aboriginal town-based communities are currently underway.
Bondini and Woodgamia in the Mid West and Nambi Village and Wongatha Wonganarra in the Goldfields have been prioritised for funding due to the age and condition of the housing, the proximity to trades and the community interest in a formal housing agreement.
The further rollout of the four-year funding will include the construction of new houses in other Aboriginal communities across the State to reduce overcrowding.
An additional $10 million has also been set aside for repairs to local roads and landfills in some Aboriginal communities to support housing improvements.
This is all part of the Cook Government's $350 million Remote Communities Fund to improve water and power services and boost housing availability in remote Aboriginal communities.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
"The Cook Labor Government is committed to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people living in regional and remote areas.
"The $140 million is part of our $350 million Remote Communities Fund which was established to improve housing and water in remote Aboriginal communities after the former Liberal-National Commonwealth Government withdrew from its long-standing commitment to fund remote housing in Western Australia.
"The $350 million Remote Communities Fund will significantly improve water and power infrastructure in remote Aboriginal communities, as well as expand the number of available homes through refurbishments and new builds.
"Not only will this benefit the people living in remote communities but also help to sustain the communities in which they live."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
"Our Government is committed to supporting strong and resilient Aboriginal communities.
"To do this we must address the fundamentals of well-being, such as health and mental health, housing, education and culture, which is why this investment is so important.
"Delivering appropriate housing to remote communities supports the well-being of residents and contributes to Closing the Gap.
"It also provides empowerment and self-determination for remote communities, which aligns with the Cook Government's Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy."
