Joint Council on Closing Gap more than $120 million for Indigenous health infrastructure

Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians

The Australian Government is funding 52 new health infrastructure projects across the country - building and renovating clinics, improving staff housing and building the capacity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health sector.

As Co-Chairs of Joint Council on Closing the Gap, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney and the Lead Convener of the Coalition of the Peaks, Pat Turner, will jointly announce more than $120 million for major capital works at community‑controlled organisations.

They will announce the funding at the Joint Council meeting in Sydney on Friday 16 December.

The projects will improve First Nations health services, as well as provide the facilities clinical staff need to deliver culturally-safe and appropriate care. The full list of projects by state or territory is below.

In a clear commitment to Closing the Gap Priority Reform One to support formal partnerships and shared decision-making, applications were jointly assessed and approved by the sector's peak body, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Australian Government, through the Department of Health and Aged Care.

A further $20 million from this grant round will be committed in early 2023 and a second grant round will also be run in 2023 to see even more projects provide the services people need, closer to where they live.

The more than $120 million is in addition to the $164.3 million for 17 vital Indigenous health infrastructure projects across the country announced in the October budget to invest in health clinics in areas of large and growing First Nations populations.

This represents a significant investment of more than $284.3 million for Aboriginal health services.

The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to work in partnership with the Coalition of Peaks, other First Nations partners and all levels of government to ensure sustained progress over the life of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Quotes attributable to Minister Burney:

"This significant investment demonstrates the Albanese government's commitment to Closing the Gap.

"With projects in almost every part of the country, this funding will help improve access to critical health services for First Nations peoples.

"It's a vote of confidence in the community-controlled sector and in shared decision-making, ensuring our funding decisions are informed and supported by the community.

"With so many new projects, we will see considerable progress towards better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people."

Quotes attributable to Senator McCarthy:

"Health underpins so many measures of a person's life outcomes - and building this infrastructure provides the platform to deliver quality health services.

"This huge investment in infrastructure across cities, towns and the bush will be a game changer in Closing the Gap and supporting community-controlled organisations to do what they do best.

"With the help of NACCHO, we're making sure our investments are having the maximum impact for Indigenous communities."

Quotes attributable to Lead Convenor of the Coalition of the Peaks and NACCHO Chief Executive Officer, Pat Turner:

"The Government's support for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services reflects their vital role in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"NACCHO has advocated for a long time for increased funding for infrastructure for the health sector and this funding supports and recognises the critical role that ACCHS play in the Australian primary health care architecture.

"I am pleased to see that this funding is being delivered consistent with the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement, where programs and services are developed in partnership with our people and funding is delivered through our community-controlled organisations."

List of health infrastructure projects by State and Territory

New South Wales

Organisation	Location	Project Description	Funding
Armajun Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Tenterfield	Purchase and renovation of premises for clinic in Tenterfield.	$388,896
Bourke Aboriginal Corporation Health Services	Bourke	Construction of a new primary care clinic for the Bourke region.	$8,060,621
Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation	Grafton	Extension to the current health care facility including an additional four treatment rooms to house Allied Health and wellbeing programs. It will also include office spaces, a new reception area and waiting room, additional toilets, and storage facilities.	$900,000
Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Ballina	Construction of a new holistic and comprehensive primary healthcare clinic including three levels of professional consulting rooms for primary healthcare, child and maternal health, allied health, mental health, health promotion and administrative offices.	$8,730,000
Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation	Dareton	Extension to the health care facility that includes the renovation of an adjacent hall and rooms, and provide an additional 3 clinic rooms, group space, a Board meeting room, additional telehealth capabilities, dental room and an outside yarning space.	$1,326,009
Galambila Aboriginal Corporation	Coffs Harbour	Construction of an enclosed clinical space below the existing elevated building footprint; outdoor sheltered seating and infrastructure to allow for better connection and integration with the Community Garden and Yarning Circle on site; construction of an asphalted carpark; and stair and ramp access.	$2,293,860
Pius X Aboriginal Corporation	Moree	Extension of the existing primary health care service to enable a separate Women's Health Unit to be created, including specialist care, a recovery room, meeting room and storeroom for sensitive equipment.	$1,100,136
Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Ltd.	Walgett	Construct a purpose built Aboriginal Medical Service building in Brewarrina, NSW for the Brewarrina Aboriginal Medical Service (BAMS) on land owned by Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service as a permanent base for the service in lieu of rented premises.	$4,986,000

Northern Territory

Organisation	Location	Project Description	Funding
Ampilatwatja Health Centre Aboriginal Corporation	Ampilatwatja	Construction of 2 new 2 bedroom accommodation facilities for staff, improve access to the clinic, renovate the old clinic and includes essential repairs on current plumbing and sewerage, installation of new power solutions, guttering, landscaping, air conditioning and ventilation and a cool room.	$1,431,750
Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation	Tennant Creek	The purchase and installation of five, one-bedroom demountable residential units to provide accommodation for short-term and visiting staff.	$924,158
Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation	Kalkaringi	Construction of fit-for-purpose staff accommodation building at Kalkaringi, currently housing a dated 2-bedroom donga for KWHB staff. The new housing will accommodate short-term nurses, travelling allied health and program staff, and visiting specialists who deliver primary health care to the Kalkaringi community.	$2,011,892
Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation	Yarralin	Construction of fit-for-purpose staff accommodation building at Yarralin. The new housing will accommodate short-term nurses, travelling allied health and program staff, and visiting specialists who deliver primary health care to the Yarralin community.	$2,011,892
Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation	Lajamanu	Construction of fit-for-purpose staff accommodation building at Lajamanu. The new housing will accommodate short-term nurses, travelling allied health and program staff, and visiting specialists who deliver primary health care to the Lajamanu community.	$2,011,892
Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation	Wandawuy Homelands	Construction of a three-bedroom transportable style duplex for clinical staff accommodation on the Wandawuy Homelands.	$416,381
Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation	Gangan Homelands	Construction of a three-bedroom transportable style duplex for clinical staff accommodation on the Gangan Homelands.	$384,386
Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation	Yirrkala	Construction of a three-bedroom duplex for clinical staff accommodation near our health administrative base in Yirrkala. This will help to address the impact that the lack of housing is having on the delivery of primary health care.	$1,952,844
Mala'la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Maningrida	Construction of a Primary Health Unit Complex in the remote Indigenous community of Maningrida responding to the current service demand which has outgrown its existing facility.	$9,580,000
Pintupi Homelands Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation)	Kintore	Repairs, maintenance and infrastructure upgrades both for the primary healthcare clinic and the clinical staff accommodation in Kintore, This will future-proof the infrastructure for both the clinic and clinical staff accommodation.	$3,787,191
Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Ngukurr	Design and construction of residential units to accommodate clinical staff, including GPs, Remote Area Nurses, Registered Aboriginal Health Practitioners and specialist medical services staff.	$5,590,364
Urapuntja Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Arlparra	Construction of the new Arlparra Community Health Clinic for the provision of primary health care services for the community of Arlparra, located in the Urapuntja Homelands. The new facility will replace an existing temporary leased facility which has been resumed for redevelopment.	$441,881
Urapuntja Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Amengernterneah	Construction of three new 2 bedroom portable accommodation buildings to replace existing dilapidated accommodation and to enhance the Health Service capacity to accommodate visiting allied health professionals.	$1,031,756
Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal Corporation	Katherine	Construction of a fit-for-purpose, culturally appropriate PHC Coordination Hub, to ensure all PHC management, population health services, corporate supports and patient supports, such as patient travel, are situated together, on-site within Wurli's PHC precinct located at Katherine.	$4,081,505

Queensland

Organisation	Location	Project Description	Funding
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Community Health Service (Mackay) Limited	Mackay	Extension to add 2 levels of office space to the clinic with additional consultation rooms and activities space to increase the number of appointments available for health checks, allied health appointments and educational sessions.	$2,185,794
Apunipima Cape York Health Council Limited	Coen	Extension to the current Apunipima Cape York Health Council Primary Health Care Centre in Coen.	$1,251,467
Apunipima Cape York Health Council Limited	Kowanyama	Construction of a 2 Bedroom self contained apartment workforce accommodation in Kowanyama	$532,128
Apunipima Cape York Health Council Limited	Mapoon	Construction of a 3 Bedroom self contained apartment to house clinical staff travelling to the Mapoon community.	$645,173
Carbal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Ltd	Toowoomba	Construction of an allied health extension to the existing 18- 24 Charnley Street Clinic in Toowoomba.	$289,780
Charleville and Western Areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Community Health Limited	Charleville	Construction of a single story, nine room extension to the existing Primary Health Care Clinic in Charleville, and includes a reception area, program area, child and maternal health space, kitchen and training room for mothers and babies, an allied Health consulting room and two rooms for standard consultations.	$1,300,000
Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Company Limited	Toowoomba	Reconfiguration and expansion of the current clinic to address structural and capacity issues. These capital works will enhance the existing building and will include four additional treatment and consulting rooms.	$1,648,283
Indigenous Wellbeing Centre Limited	Gayndah	Construction of housing for permanent and travelling clinicians to support Indigenous peoples in the North Burnett region, based in Gayndah.	$1,705,000

South Australia

Organisation	Location	Project Description	Funding
Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service Limited	Murray Bridge	Construction of a new primary healthcare clinic, which is the first stage of a new purpose-built Integrated Health Hub in Murray Bridge.	$8,985,216
Nganampa Health Council Incorporated	Amata	Upgrades to the clinic infrastructure including additional treatment rooms, expanding drug storage capacity, providing a garage for and secure access to the ambulance, providing increased space for stores, waiting rooms, office / training spaces, general storage and storage for bodies.	$692,314
Oak Valley (Maralinga) Aboriginal Corporation	Oak Valley	Refurbishment of the current health facility and the nurses' accommodation to enable increased and enhanced service provision to the residents of and visitors to the Oak Valley. The upgrade will include additional office space, emergency room to suit standards and ambulance entry and ICT server room.	$1,245,860
Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Incorporated	Port Lincoln	Construction of four new staff accommodation houses, comprising four discrete staff houses, each with 3 bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, dining areas and living spaces including car parks.	$1,390,000
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Coober Pedy	Construction of a new clinic building to improve access to clinical primary health care services. This will enable better social distancing, have dedicated respiratory assessment room and deal with emergencies appropriately.	$5,259,399
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation	Coober Pedy	Purchase site and install two pre-fabricated homes for clinical staff.	$457,326

Tasmania

Organisation	Location	Project Description	Funding
Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation	Smithton	Carpark repairs to make it safer for clients walking from their vehicles to the Health Centre.	$37,140
Karadi Aboriginal Corporation	Hobart	Refurbishment and extension of their current primary clinic site.	$1,743,720
South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation	Hobart	Construction of a new fit for purpose, culturally appropriate primary health care room to address the growing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait people living in the Southern Hobart region.	$178,880

Victoria

Organisation	Location	Project Description	Funding
Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative Limited	Ararat	Conversion of a residential property in Ararat to a satellite medical and health clinic.	$365,674
Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative Limited	Warrnambool	Construction of a new fit-for-purpose facility to deliver culturally appropriate, high quality comprehensive primary and Allied Health care to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Warrnambool and surrounding regions.	$6,000,000
Kirrae Health Service Inc.	Purnim	Extension to the current health care facility that will increase the footprint of the current facility by 30% and will include an additional three office spaces, three clinical rooms, a community meeting space and toilets.	$1,185,000
Lake Tyers Health & Children's Services Association Inc.	Lake Tyers	Extension including 6 additional offices, a storage room and soundproof confidential meeting rooms for health workers and visiting specialist services as well as additional toilets in the new area.	$1,729,666
Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association	Lakes Entrance	Refurbish or build a fit for purpose stand-alone comprehensive primary health care clinic in Lakes Entrance Victoria.	$2,034,953
Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation	Hamilton	Renovation of existing premises including re-stumping and significant improvements in sound proofing and ventilation. reconfiguration of the floorplan to improve service delivery and overall flow and security of the clinic.	$700,000

Western Australia

Organisation	Location	Project Description	Funding
Bega Garnbirringu Health Services Incorporated	Kalgoorlie	Construction of additional 8 consulting rooms and a dedicated triage room at the main entrance.	$1,600,000
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited	Bidyadanga	Construction of a purpose built health centre in WA's largest remote Aboriginal community. The new clinic will replace a decrepit 30 year old building, improve access to high quality health services.	$6,785,900
Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation)	Warakurna	Construction of a new clinic that will create additional space and flexibility within the clinic infrastructure. The build will include consultation rooms, treatment rooms, amenities, a kitchenette and a secure storeroom for pharmacy goods.	$2,587,200
Ngangganawili Aboriginal Community Controlled Health and Medical Services	Wiluna	Construction and installation of 3 two-bedroom units for staff accommodation in Wiluna, WA, a very remote town in WA.	$1,387,108
Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation	Newman	Construction of new clinic access and the installation of security measures at staff accommodation to support the safety and wellbeing of clients and PAMS staff.	$181,255
Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation	Halls Creek	Extension to the current health care facility, increasing the footprint by 80% and adding a new renal dialysis clinic, four office spaces, two activity rooms, two consult rooms, two vaccine/telehealth rooms, two water closets, a retail pharmacy, more storage space and a boardroom that will also act as a large community space.	$3,239,011
Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation	Halls Creek	Construction of new staff housing and a maintenance garage to store the fleet of vehicles. This new infrastructure will enable expansion of workforce to deliver a broader range and higher quality of service to the Aboriginal community of Halls Creek and the surrounding regions through a more effective and engaged workforce.	$2,662,147

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