Effective environmental health systems
Effective environmental health is about providing safe and healthy living conditions. This includes better and more flexible housing options, potable water, fresh food and the safe removal of sewerage waste products.
It is widely recognised that people living in poverty tend to maximise calories per dollar spent on food and energy-dense food rich in fats, refined starches and sugars represent the lowest cost option. Healthy diets in lean meats, fresh vegetables and whole grains are more expensive. Outback Stores helps provide fresh nutritious food and an affordable price.
The Australian Government has a number of initiatives to improve environmental health, including programmes to reduce household overcrowding, building houses where they are needed most and creating increased opportunities for home ownership.
Outcomes
According to the report Indigenous housing indicators 2005–06 the number of Indigenous households who owned or were purchasing their home increased by almost 10,000 from 46,224 in 2001 to 56,027 in 2006, or from 32% to 34% of all Indigenous households.
- By 2006–07 the number of discrete Indigenous communities without an organised sewerage system decreased from 91 in 2001 to 25.
- The proportion of overcrowded Indigenous households fell from 14.7% in 2001 to 12.4% in 2006.
Key programmes
Community Housing and Infrastructure Programme and the Aboriginal Rental Housing Programme
Through the Community Housing and Infrastructure Programme (CHIP) and the Aboriginal Rental Housing Programme (ARHP), the Australian Government works in partnership with state and territory governments and Indigenous community organisations to deliver housing, infrastructure and municipal services to Indigenous Australians. In 2007 two key reports into the delivery of housing and related services to Indigenous Australians were released. Living In the Sunburnt Country-Indigenous Housing: findings of the review of the community housing and infrastructure programme was released in February 2007. This independent review of CHIP recommended fundamental reforms to the funding and delivery of Indigenous housing in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey released in April 2007 and reissued in August 2007 revealed that despite funding of around $1 billion over five years under CHIP, housing stock had increased by only 3%, or 567 homes.
In response to the CHIP review, the Australian Government announced a significant reform package as part of the 2007 Budget. At the centre of these reforms was the new Australian Remote Indigenous Accommodation Programme (ARIA) which will replace CHIP from the beginning of 2008–09. The new programme will have additional funding of $293 million (over four years), over and above the current $380 million a year directed towards Indigenous housing. ARIA is about a new approach to Indigenous housing delivery, which will ensure:
- Australian Government resources are invested in remote locations, where the need is greatest
- Indigenous Australians receive the same levels of service and face the same obligations as non‑Indigenous Australians through the introduction of mainstream public housing arrangements
- increased opportunities for home ownership for Indigenous people through improvements to land‑tenure arrangements
- an increased focus on innovative housing designs and construction techniques, that will deliver good quality housing at a lower cost
- the building work will involve employment and training opportunities for Indigenous people at the local level
- funding is available for accommodation that is designed to meet the needs of a growing number of Indigenous Australians who need to travel for education, training or employment.
Expenditure 2006–07: $227.817 million (CHIP) and $94.4 million (ARHP).
Output 2006–07:
- municipal services were delivered to over 900 Indigenous communities or outstations
- 300 new houses were constructed or acquired
- 500 houses were upgraded.
Outback Stores
Outback Stores-a 100% owned subsidiary of Indigenous Business Australia-was recently formed to support remote Indigenous owned community stores and provide Indigenous Australians the opportunity to buy a range of healthy food and essential supplies. Outback Stores partners with Indigenous communities to deliver long-term sustainable retail stores where the community can have access to fresh and affordable food.
Expenditure 2006–07: $1.536 million.
Outputs 2006–07:
- four stores under Outback Stores management.
Torres Strait Regional Authority
Major Infrastructure Programme Boigu Flood Mitigation
One of the Torres Strait Regional Authority's most successful programmes last year was the Major Infrastructure Programme (MIP). MIP is a joint initiative between the Australian and Queensland governments which delivers essential major infrastructure in the region, such as sewerage treatment plants, roads and drainage works and water supplies.
These works on Boigu were aimed at mitigating the adverse affects of high tides and heavy rains during the wet season. Prior to the project's delivery, areas of Boigu Island were subject to regular flooding which reduced the usefulness of the land affected and presented a major mosquito breeding hazard. To solve this problem, the community, in conjunction with MIP management, decided that it was necessary to raise the existing sea wall, upgrade existing culverts, construct a bund wall and upgrade relevant drainage works.
This project not only delivered effective flood protection infrastructure and the follow-on environmental health benefits, but also contributed substantially to capacity building of the Boigu Island Council and Boigu community members.
The council undertook the project works and gave opportunities for the local workforce to acquire new skills and improve existing skills. In total, 17 community members were employed during the project.
The training required was provided by information technology employment consultants who delivered TAFE Certificates II and III to 10 participants, Certificate II in General Construction (blue cards) to 21 participants, Certificate II in General Construction to 19 participants, and certificates for operating plant and machinery to eight participants.The project also resulted in a substantial portion of the project costs going back into the Boigu community's local economy.
Expenditure 2006–07: $500,000.
Outputs 2006–07:
- the Boigu project achieved 15,912 hours of Indigenous employment and accredited training.