The Australian Government is working in partnership with the Aboriginals Benefit Account Advisory Committee (ABA AC) to improve access to quality and affordable food for Indigenous people in remote Northern Territory communities.
In January 2011, the Minster for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs announced a $50 million package for Phase One of the ABA Community Stores Infrastructure Project.
This package will provide for new purpose-built or upgraded community stores and store manager accommodation in 18 remote communities in the Northern Territory.
This project includes significant investment in infrastructure to ensure that:
- stores have good, healthy food accessible to people living in remote Northern Territory communities
- stores have purpose built infrastructure which will support effective retail practices and minimise operating costs and
- store manager housing is of an acceptable standard to help attract quality store management.
Phase One
The 18 communities that have approved funding and will benefit from infrastructure improvements under this funding package are:
- Areyonga
- Barunga
- Beswick
- Bulla
- Bulman
- Canteen Creek
- Engawala
- Epenarra
- Gunbalanya
- Haasts Bluff
- Jilkminggan
- Milikapiti
- Papunya
- Peppimenarti
- Pirlangimpi
- Timber Creek
- Willowra
- Yuendumu
Eligibility
Stores eligible to receive infrastructure upgrades as part of this project are required to be:
- owned by an Aboriginal community-owned organisation or
- owned by a shire with agreement to pass the store to community ownership.
Further Information
If you need further information about ABA Stores Community Infrastructure Project please contact the Department
Telephone: 1800 159 320
Email: ABAStoresInfrastructure@fahcsia.gov.au