9 October 2009

Indigenous Economic Development Strategy launched

The Territory Government has launched the Indigenous Economic Development Strategy 2009–2012 to lift development, create jobs and bring Indigenous Territorians into the broader economy.

The Minister for Regional Development Karl Hampton released the strategy at the fourth Indigenous Economic Development Forum held in Alice Springs.

The Chief Minister Paul Henderson said the strategy will guide and encourage economic development in the regions and is vital for Indigenous advancement.

The strategy includes a number of key initiatives to:

• Support the development of Indigenous enterprises on Aboriginal land and work with land councils to negotiate secure leases for the development of local businesses
• Improve numeracy and literacy and offer students real pathways to employment
• Promote joint ventures and commercial partnerships
• Continue to support Indigenous entrepreneurs through the Indigenous Business Development Program
• Develop and deliver work readiness programs.

A link to the Indigenous Economic Development Strategy is available on the working future homepage.

Above: Minister Hampton launches the Indigenous Economic Development Strategy.

Indigenous Business Expo

An Indigenous Business Expo at the fourth Indigenous Economic Development (IED) forum held in Alice Springs this week, provided Indigenous businesses with an opportunity to showcase their products and services.

The forum provided opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to promote services and programs, share knowledge and explore opportunities.

The government is focused on developing our regions and is focused on ensuring Indigenous communities maximise the opportunities arising from increased investment. 

Better remote transport options

A key working future objective is to improve transport services in and around Territory Growth Towns to ensure people can safely get to services and jobs whatever the weather conditions.

The Territory Government has commenced local infrastructure surveys, looking at the condition, capacity and usage of roads, barge landings and aerodromes across all Territory Growth Towns and their surrounding regions.

Survey teams will be traveling throughout the Territory in specially equipped vehicles. The vehicles will be clearly marked ‘road survey’ to ensure residents know what is happening. Between now and the end of the year there will be teams traveling to every Territory Growth Town.  

The results of the survey will be used to assess the transport needs of our Territory Growth Towns and their surrounding outstations and homelands.

The survey team has already completed a pilot survey in the Wadeye region.

Outstation and homelands consultations continue

Under the working future policy initiative, the Territory Government is consulting with residents of homelands and outstations and service providers which include Outstation Resource Centres (ORCs) and shires. 

Across the Territory consultations have been largely completed in the MacDonnell, Barkly and Central Desert shires, and consultations are presently underway in the Victoria Daly, Roper Gulf, East and West Arnhem shires, with Tiwi and Darwin to follow. 

The consultation schedule, including meeting dates across all shires is available on the working future website.

 

 

 

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