Big Rivers
Located in the top end of the Northern Territory approximately 200km south of Darwin, the Big Rivers Region extends from the Western Australia border in the west, the Gulf of Carpentaria along the Queensland border to the east and over 500km to the south.
The region accounts for approximately 25 per cent of the Northern Territory’s land area at 340,000km², encompassing the three Local Government Areas of the Katherine Town Council, and Victoria Daly and Roper Gulf regional councils.
At the heart of the region is Katherine; the major township and the fourth largest in the Northern Territory.
Katherine is strategically located at the juncture of the Darwin to Adelaide north-south transcontinental rail route and the Stuart Highway; the Northern Territory’s main arterial highway connecting the regional road network to major trade routes from Australia’s east, south and west coasts.
With a broad-based economy driven by key industry sectors including resources, agriculture, tourism and public administration and safety (including defence), the region boasts some of the most significant economic activity in Northern Australia.
Bagala Traditional Owners
- Bagala Traditional Owners Decision Making Agreement PDF (1.6 MB)
- Signed on 7 December 2022, this is the first LDM Agreement with the Northern Land Council as a partner.
- The Bagala Traditional Owners Decision Making (TODM) Agreement 2022-2025 is also supported by the Northern Territory Government, Roper Gulf Regional Council, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation and Bagala Aboriginal Corporation (BAC).
- The TODM Agreement has four strategic priority areas – Economic Development, Health and Community Wellbeing, Infrastructure and Housing, and Culture and Heritage.
- As at December 2023, two actions under the TODM Agreement have been delivered. BAC has employed a General Manager, who is focused on growing Bagala’s capacity and addressing key actions within the TODM Agreement. BAC has also resumed management of the Barunga Festival, which was held in June 2023.
- For their management of the Barunga Festival in its first year returning to a community-led model, BAC won the 2023 Northern Territory Best Community Event award at the Australian Event Awards and the 2023 Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce award for Excellence in Business - Best Festival Event in the Big Rivers region.
Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation (GAC)
- GAC LDM MAP Implementation Plan 2021-2023 PDF (3.6 MB)
- On 2 November 2021, GAC opened the Kalkaringi Child and Family Centre (Ngalywany Purrp’ku “Ours to Share”) and signed the Gurindji LDM Implementation Plan 2021-2023.
- GAC has partnered with the Northern Territory Government and the National Indigenous Australians Agency to deliver actions under the Implementation Plan 2021-2023 across six strategic priority areas – Cultural Strength and Respect, Business Development and Contracting, Youth Services and Child and Family, Community Housing, Local Jobs and Training, and Community Recreation Facilities.
- Progress on actions under the Implementation Plan 2021-2023 has been delayed due to a number of leadership changes in GAC and the Northern Region Flood Event in early 2023 which impacted Kalkaringi and nearby communities.
- Through the flood response and recovery process, GAC supplied information, staff and resources to support the emergency management functions, and was required to repair assets which sustained significant damage, with works ongoing.
- CM&C Big Rivers is continuing to support GAC as an entity and in their priority setting to inform the renewal of their Implementation Plan.
- GAC LDM MAP Agreement PDF (196.4 KB)
- GAC LDM MAP Implementation Plan 2018-20 PDF (1.1 MB)
Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation (JAAC)
- Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation Local Decision Making Implementation Plan 2021-2023 PDF (3.7 MB)
- On 4 October 2021, JAAC signed their LDM Implementation Plan 2021-2023 with the Northern Territory Government, Roper Gulf Regional Council and the National Indigenous Australians Agency as their partners.
- The Implementation Plan 2021-2023 has three strategic priority areas – Preserving Jawoyn Culture and Heritage, Housing/Civil Construction Opportunities, and Local Jobs and Training.
- As at December 2023, three actions under the Implementation Plan 2021-2023 have been delivered. JAAC has supported the Werenbun Homeland to develop its own LDM Agreement, completed an evaluation of the Banatjarl Strongbala Wimun Grup, a JAAC enterprise, and developed the capacity and secured the Contractor Accreditation Limited certification of Jawoyn Contracting.
- As a result, Jawoyn Contracting were recently awarded a 24-month period contract for all new housing builds and Room to Breathe works in Barunga and Manyallaluk, commencing 5 September 2023.
- JAAC has recently purchased a new office space for the Banatjarl Strongbala Wimun Grup, with an official opening held on 20 October 2023 with key LDM partners.
- CM&C Big Rivers will be working with JAAC to develop a new Implementation Plan with refreshed actions for signing in the first half of 2024.
- JAAC LDM MAP Agreement PDF (201.2 KB)
- JAAC LDM MAP Implementation Plan 2018 - 2020 PDF (1.3 MB)
Werenbun Homeland
- Werenbun Homeland – Implementation Plan 2022 - 2027 PDF (3.2 MB)
- Signed on 24 January 2022, the Werenbun Homeland Implementation Plan 2022-2027 is the first LDM Agreement for a Homeland in the Northern Territory.
- This LDM Agreement is supported by the Northern Territory Government, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Roper Gulf Regional Council, Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation (JAAC), Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service and Nitmiluk Tours as partners with Werenbun Homeland.
- The Implementation Plan 2022-2027 has four strategic priority areas – Economic Development, Health and Community Wellbeing, Infrastructure and Housing, and Culture and Heritage.
- As at December 2023, three actions of the Implementation Plan 2022-2027 have been delivered, including installation of a basketball court and hoop, beautification of the Werenbun cemetery and transfer of Homelands service provision to JAAC.
Yugul Mangi Development Aboriginal Corporation (YMDAC)
- Yugul Mangi Development Aboriginal Corporation Local Decision Making Implementation Plan 2021 – 2023 PDF (6.6 MB). Signed on the 25 August 2021 to coincide with the official opening of the Local Decision Making Board room and office space in Ngukurr.
- On 25 August 2021, the YMDAC LDM Implementation Plan 2021-2023 was signed, with the Northern Territory Government and the National Indigenous Australians Agency as partners.
- The Implementation Plan 2021-2023 has five strategic priority areas – Cultural Strength and Respect, Governance and Capacity, Community Wellbeing, Economic Empowerment, and Local Jobs for Local People.
- As at December 2023, three actions of the Implementation Plan 2021-2023 have been delivered, including renewing the Mutual Respect Agreement with Northern Territory Police, assuming management of the Ngukurr Oval and sealing of the Roper and Wilton bridges on the Roper Highway.
- Further upgrades to the Ngukurr Oval are underway with a view to hosting games of the Big Rivers Football League in the 2024 season.
- CM&C Big Rivers is working with YMDAC to develop a new Implementation Plan with refreshed actions for signing in the first half of 2024.
- YMDAC LDM MAP Agreement PDF (216.3 KB)
- YMDAC LDM MAP Implementation Plan PDF (1.5 MB)
Other LDM initiatives (across Big Rivers region)
- Numburindi Development Aboriginal Corporation (NDAC – Numbulwar), Urapunga Aboriginal Corporation (UAC) and Kurdiji Aboriginal Corporation (KAC – Lajamanu) have expressed their interest in developing LDM Agreements. CM&C Big Rivers continue to work with all groups to determine their goals and explore opportunities for LDM establishment.
- NDAC met with potential LDM partners in Katherine in December 2023 to discuss proposed actions for an LDM Agreement. This follows a number of key achievements by NDAC, including a successful grant application to develop an office space in Numbulwar and the NDAC Board of Directors undertaking governance training, supported by CM&C Big Rivers.
- CM&C Big Rivers has met with the UAC Board of Directors to discuss outcomes from Directors meetings and the next steps for LDM progression. The UAC Board of Directors has developed their first draft Strategic Plan and sought feedback from CM&C Big Rivers and the National Indigenous Australians Agency. The UAC Strategic Plan will be a key resource to guide discussions towards developing an LDM Agreement. UAC acting CEO has met with a number of stakeholders in Urapunga, supported by CM&C Big Rivers.
- KAC is still in the very early phases of LDM pre-establishment, with CM&C Big Rivers continuing to work at their pace.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
- Aboriginal people are the ones who really know about looking after their communities and country.
- The Northern Territory Government’s Local Decision-Making plan means Aboriginal people can choose to get more involved in service delivery and telling Government what works best in their communities.
- Those services will then help Aboriginal people strongly look after their communities.
- The Local Decision-Making mob / group / workers will write a plan so that Aboriginal people on the communities can tell the Government what to do and what NOT to do on the communities and how local people want to be involved.
- Aboriginal people on some communities and some Government agencies are already doing good work / things on the communities.
- We want to keep on doing more good things / work like that.
- The Northern Territory Government will work together with Aboriginal people to make these things better: Health / keeping people healthy and strong, Education / schools and training, Housing, and other things to, like Youth and Sports and Recreation.
- Before (today), Government used to decide what to do on the communities, without asking / talking to Aboriginal people first.
- But not, the Government will work together with people on the communities—those people who want to decide for themselves what to do on their own communities.
- The Government knows that this cannot happen quickly.
- Government and the people on communities must work slowly and carefully together for a long time - maybe 10 years - to make all these good things happen.
- There have already been Regional Workshops in some places.
- But now the Government will ask Aboriginal people on more and more communities to join into / in with these Workshop.
- Those Aboriginal people will learn more and more about this, and together with the Government mob they will make their own Local Decision-Making plan.
- It will take a long time for Government mob and Aboriginal people on communities to get ready for all of this.
- The Government mob will work very hard / carefully to help Aboriginal people on the communities govern / manage themselves properly and strongly - what the Government mob call ‘strong governance capacity’.
- Government mob are not just playing around to make this Local Decision-Making policy / plan, no!
- They are thinking about it carefully and seriously.
- If Aboriginal people on the communities want to learn more about this, then they can call any / all of these people in Central Australia, in Big Rivers, in East Arnhem, in Barkly, in Wadeye, in Jabiru and on the Tiwi Islands.
Local Decision Making in Burarra language
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Local Decision Making in Kriol language
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Local Decision Making in Kunwinjku language
Local Decision Making - English transcript
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Local Decision Making in Murrinh Patha language
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Local Decision Making in Tiwi language
Local Decision Making - English transcript
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Local Decision Making in Anmatyerr language
Local Decision Making - English transcript
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Local Decision Making in Eastern/Central Arrernte language
Local Decision Making - English transcript
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Local Decision Making in Pitjantjatjara language
Local Decision Making - English transcript
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Local Decision Making in Warlpiri language
Local Decision Making - English transcript
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Local Decision Making in Alyawarr language
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Local Decision Making in Warumungu language
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Local Decision Making in Kriol language
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Local Decision Making in Ngarinyman language
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Local Decision Making in Anindilawakya language
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Local Decision Making in Yolngu language
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Videos
Local Decision Making - Wadeye
Local Decision Making - Wadeye
Local Decision Making - Wadeye
A long time ago the government built our houses.
Cornellius Wudarnkadi Mollinjin.
Thamarur Development Corporation, Wadeye, Northern Territory.
The houses that they built were made without our advice. This meant, they were not built to suit our lifestyle and culture.
We also had less people, now our families have grown, and we are still living in the same houses, overcrowded and sometimes breaking out strong cultural laws. Room to Breathe, is a part of governments Local Decision Making policy.
This will help us work together with the houses we have now. It is us that will help make the decisions because every home has different needs. It is important that we are included in decision making for our future.
Proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government
Thamarrurr Development Corporation
Jabiru Memorandum of Understanding news
Jabiru Memorandum of Understanding news
Jabiru Memorandum of Understanding news
If you require a transcript for the Jabiru Memorandum of Understanding news video please contact us.
Local Decision Making - Gunbalanya School
Local Decision Making - Gunbalanya School
Local Decision Making - Gunbalanya School
We have been on a journey to create an Independent Public School. First we had to choose consultants with the right heart to guide us in developing the new governance model with a new constitution and all the important things for us to be a proper board. Karrikarremarbun means coming together to make big decisions this is what the board does.
We took the community with us on this journey we did lots of talking and workshops with the school and community so that everyone understood where we wanted to go. We took turtle steps, this part of our journey took a year.
In the best interests of our students we decided that our board should come from across the community not just from family groups or clans. This was a big change in our thinking and ways. The more the community understood the more people wanted to be involved. 31 parents nominated for the 8 parent positions a record for Northern Territory schools.
People were elected on to the board through a proper process with the Northern Territory Electoral Commission coming out to run a proper ballot. The board wanted to have two senior students on the board so that they could learn board ways and grow strong leaders for our future.
Developing our 5 year Business plan has been one of the strongest ways we have made big decisions about our school and students future. We thought deeply about community and family matters affect our students. We decided on goals and strategies that would best serve the needs of our students.
Waralnang means, I saw in a vision, our Waralnang Business plan is the Board’s vision for our community, school and students future. At Board meetings the Principal and staff report back to us on how our plan is going, we have had to learn many new things travelling this journey like running meetings, liaising in the community, working with parents and we have had lots of training with our consultants a big one has been Money Story.
We have had some challenges like understanding Balanda words, concepts, policy and ways of governing. We keep our own culture strong and often talk in language to make sure we all understand to make the right decisions. The board has been going for 18 months now and we are still going on a two way learning journey.
Like I was saying, Karrimurrngrayekworren means working together we are making everyone strong, our turtle steps are leading towards a strong community school and a greater future for our children.
Groote Eylandt Traditional Owners Mining Venture
Groote Eylandt Traditional Owners Mining Venture
Groote Eylandt Traditional Owners Mining Venture
If you require a transcript for the Groote Eylandt Traditional Owners Mining Venture video please contact us.
New local Health Service for Gapuwiyak Community
New local Health Service for Gapuwiyak Community
New local Health Service for Gapuwiyak Community
If you require a transcript for the New local Health Service for Gapuwiyak Community video please contact us.
Titjikala Room to Breathe Program news
Titjikala Room to Breathe Program news
Titjikala Room to Breathe Program news
If you require a transcript for the Titjikala Room to Breathe Program news video please contact us.
Local Decision Making - Vision
Local Decision Making - Vision
Local Decision Making - Vision
Vision - Bo Carne
Local Decision Making will lead to the self-determination of communities in regards to services and programs.
But more broadly than this is an opportunity for community and government partnerships for shared responsibility of service delivery.
Things might include housing, education, economic development or land and sea management, depending on community priorities.
Local Decision Making acknowledges that although government might have the best intentions, we don’t always get it right.
This is about getting the best solutions using a place-based approach, that is, local solutions for local issues.
Local Decision Making - Roadmap
Local Decision Making - Roadmap
Local Decision Making - Roadmap
Road Map / Principles versus Policy - Bo Carne
We’ve also designed a Road Map that incorporates success of existing government programs, and a staged approach where communities might identify a number of government programs.
All government agencies should be following the principles of Local Decision Making in any work they do in communities, which includes:
‘Self-determination’ – community process and timelines,
‘Place-based’ – different design for different places,
‘Flexible’ – timing and funding,
‘Co-design’ – share information to design together, and
‘Community control’ – committed wherever possible.
Local Decision Making - Implementation
Local Decision Making - Implementation
Local Decision Making - Implementation
Implementation - Bo Carne
The Community Control Continuum shows the different levels of community involvement.
‘Inform’ is where government takes the lead in decisions and implementation;
‘Consult’ has some form of community input, but government still leads;
‘Involve’ is a partnership through a community advisory group, but government is still responsible to lead;
‘Collaborate’ then becomes community-led and co-designed, but government might still own the service;
‘Empower’ is when the service is community controlled, but government is still there to support.
Communities will need all the information to help determine how far they might want to progress along the continuum.
Local Decision Making introduction - John Paterson
Local Decision Making introduction - John Paterson
Local Decision Making introduction - John Paterson
John Paterson – Chair APO NT and CEO AMSANT
Aboriginal people have always known what best for their communities and by working with the NT Government’s Local Decision Making Policy collectively they can come up with the best solutions that are suited for their communities.
The Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT which comprises of NLC, CLC, and AMSANT work closely with our communities and constituents to assist them in finding solutions and working through their issues. This is why APO NT works closely with the Northern Territory Government and the Local Decision Making policy to ensure that we all collectively get the best results for communities.
The Northern Territory Local Decision Making Policy is a positive step in the right direction. It allows for communities to negotiate with government to address issues like housing, education, workforce, employment and other important issues that are affecting Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
Local Decision Making will be different in each community and region and governments needs to have flexible frameworks to enable communities to address their needs.
Everyone Together 2019-2029 - Aboriginal Affairs Strategy
Everyone Together 2019-2029 - Aboriginal Affairs Strategy
Everyone Together 2019-2029 - Aboriginal Affairs Strategy
Mischa Cartwright, AASP
Hi, I’m Mischa Cartwright, Executive Director, Aboriginal Affairs Strategic Partnerships.
The Northern Territory Government is focused on reshaping how it engages with Aboriginal people and remote communities through the development of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Affairs Strategy.
The Strategy recognises the importance of language, culture and connection to country. It sets about bringing together Government’s Aboriginal Affairs existing priorities, ensuring they align with the aspirations of Aboriginal people and communities now and into the future.
It aims to support community-led decision making focused on Aboriginal families, children and communities through strong leadership, governance and capacity building that enables Aboriginal people to drive local solutions through local decision making.