Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program facts for kids
The Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP) is a big plan created by the Federal Government and the Northern Territory government. Its main goal is to build new homes and fix up old ones for Indigenous Australians in many communities across the Northern Territory. This program also aims to provide important services like roads, water, and electricity to support these new houses.
Contents
What is the SIHIP Program?
The SIHIP program is designed to improve living conditions for Indigenous Australians in remote areas. It focuses on providing safe and comfortable homes. The program also works to create jobs and training opportunities for local Indigenous people. This helps communities grow and become stronger.
How Much is Being Invested?
The program has a budget of about A$647 million. With this money, the plan is to build over 750 new houses. It also aims to fix up another 2,500 houses in 73 different communities. These communities are spread across the vast Northern Territory.
Where is Work Happening?
Work on the SIHIP program began in May 2009. The first places where construction started were Groote Eylandt, the Tiwi Islands, and Tennant Creek. In Tennant Creek, the work includes bringing essential services like electricity, water, sewerage, and roads to the local town camps.
Jobs and Training for Communities
A very important part of SIHIP is creating jobs. The program aims for at least 20 per cent of the local workers to be Indigenous Australians. The goal is to provide long-term employment and training. This helps people gain new skills and supports their families and communities.
Challenges and Progress
Building houses in remote parts of Australia can be difficult. These areas are often far from cities and have unique challenges. Some Indigenous leaders, like Alison Anderson and Galarrwuy Yunupingu, have talked about these challenges. They have pointed out that it takes a lot of planning and effort to get things done in such remote places.
The local federal member of parliament, Damian Hale, explained that building in these remote areas is not like building in big cities. He said that setting up land agreements and partnerships takes time. The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Paul Henderson, has promised that the program will build all 750 new houses. By the end of 2010, construction on 55 new homes was planned to be underway.
