31/3/03
Two new programs have been announced to assist Aboriginal communities in remote areas to achieve capital improvements to their community and to build tourism facilities.
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Tom Stephens announced that these two programs would be targeted to communities which did not generally get an adequate share of the very successful Regional Infrastructure Funding program.
"I have been concerned that communities with quite specific and often simple infrastructure needs are often not always applicants to the Regional Infrastructure Funding program," Mr Stephens said.
"In addition, the State Government response to the Gordon Inquiry recommended there was a need for improvements to the environmental health of remote communities and that indigenous enterprises should be encouraged.
"These enterprises can deliver local employment and a greater basis for self confidence to remote communities."
The two schemes will inject $2.4million into remote communities and will stimulate other partnership funding to be provided to worthwhile projects in the five regions with remote communities the Pilbara, Kimberley, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid-West and Gascoyne.
The Indigenous Infrastructure Projects Program will provide funding for a wide range of projects that are in an advanced stage of development and can be shown to have localised and regional impact.
"The Indigenous Arts and Tourism Facilities Funding Program will focus attention on the smaller scale projects that can make a difference," Mr Stephens said.
"I believe these two programs will help make a difference in places where there is a clear need."
The programs will operate in such a way that the Regional Development Commissions, ATSIC and the Department of Housing and Works play a role in identifying projects and facilitating the expenditure in partnership with the local communities.
Full details of the programs including the guidelines for applicants will be released next week.
Minister's office: 9213 6500
