Twenty-three new community infrastructure projects for Central Australia

More crucial community infrastructure is on its way for Central Australia, with the Australian and Northern Territory governments announcing 23 new projects under the second tranche of the Central Australia Plan’s $50 million Community Infrastructure Package. 

The two governments will partner with the Central Desert and MacDonnell regional councils and Central Australian communities to deliver the projects. 

The projects were selected after consultation with the Central Australia Plan’s Aboriginal Leadership Group, and represent over $28 million of investment.

The new projects include:

  • Cultural centres for Ti-Tree and Yuendumu
  • A stage/outside auditorium and public toilet in Laramba
  • New visitor camps, oval upgrades including changerooms and grandstands, and a men’s shed refurbishment at Yuelamu
  • Changeroom and lighting upgrades at Atitjere Oval
  • A new public toilet near the softball oval in Engawala
  • Oval relocation and grandstands, and re-establishing a farm in Willowra
  • A community store in Pmara Jutunta
  • A new recreational hall for Nturiya
  • Community laundries with toilets and shower facilities for Docker River, Kintore and Areyonga
  • New BMX pump tracks and refurbishing the recreational hall in Titjikala
  • A splash pad for Papunya and Ntaria
  • BMX pump tracks and a farm/community garden in Luritja Pintubi, and
  • A new orchard/garden for Finke.

The Community Infrastructure Package is part of the Australian Government’s Better, Safer Future for Central Australia Plan, announced in February 2023. 

The Australian and Northern Territory Governments will continue to work with the Central Australia Plan’s Aboriginal Leadership Group to identify future projects to be supported through the Community Infrastructure Package.

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“These projects help deliver on our commitment to improving Central Australian communities’ well-being and safety.  

“I am pleased to be partnering with the Northern Territory Government and the Central Desert and MacDonnell regional councils to deliver the projects under the Community Infrastructure Package. 

“We are investing in better amenity and liveability for Central Australian communities by improving local infrastructure across the region.”

Quotes attributable Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney:

“The Australian Government is continuing to work in partnership with communities to roll out our plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia.

“I once again thank community leaders for their valuable advice and expertise to identify these projects as priorities.”

Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Local Government Chansey Paech: 

“The Northern Territory Government welcomes this investment from the Australian Government because it is important that we work together to deliver improved infrastructure which is critical to the health, wellbeing and economic security of our remote communities. 

“These projects will be a huge boost to communities across Central Australia and will strengthen our local government councils as well as create job opportunities throughout the region.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour:

“I am delighted that the Australian Government is extending our partnership with the Northern Territory Government to progress our shared vision of a better, safer future for Central Australia. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing the next tranche of projects rolling out, with the first tranche of projects already getting up and running, greatly benefitting local residents across Central Australian communities.”