- Introduction
- How this Plan was Developed
- Building Block Priorities
- Early Childhood: the best start to life
- Schooling: learning for life
- Health: lifelong health
- Economic Participation: building wealthy communities
- Healthy Homes: investing in better housing
- Safe Communities: keeping families safe
- Governance and Leadership: empowering communities
- Land, Language and Culture
- Local Implementation Plans – An Iterative Process
- Glossary
- Attachments
- Attachment A - Table 1
- Attachment A - Table 2
- Attachment A - Table 3
- Attachment A - Table 4
- Attachment A - Table 5
- Attachment A - Table 6
- Attachment A - Table 7
- Attachment A - Table 8
- Attachment B - Community Profile for Bardi Jawi
- Attachment C - Governance Arrangement for the Development of the Plan
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Introduction
The Governments of Australia and Western Australia, working as one, are committed to closing the gap in the unacceptably high level of disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians. In particular, it acknowledges the additional challenges faced by Indigenous people living in remote areas.
Recognising these challenges, governments through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the Remote Service Delivery National Partnership (RSD NP) to build the capacities of both government and communities to engage with each other and agree on services appropriate to the needs and aspirations of Indigenous people.
Halls Creek has been chosen as one of 29 priority locations across Australia to participate in implementing the reforms envisaged in the RSD NP. For Halls Creek this will:
- Improve access to a full range of suitable and culturally inclusive services
- Raise the standards and range of services to be broadly consistent with similar sized and located communities
- Improve the level of governance and leadership
- Provide simpler access to better coordinated government services
- Increase economic and social participation wherever possible and promote personal responsibility
The development of a Local Implementation Plan, agreed between governments and the Halls Creek community, which reflect the priorities of the community, is an essential element of the RSD NP reforms.
To achieve the objectives set out above and to ensure that the planning and delivery of government services in Halls Creek runs smoothly, reforms in the way governments work with each other and conduct business with communities are also essential.
To this end, a Local Operations Centre has been established as the direct link for community to all government business in Halls Creek. The Local Operations Centre is staffed by a Local Area Coordinator and Indigenous Engagement Officers who have a key role in the design and facilitation of community engagement and in identifying priorities for inclusion in the Local Implementation Plan.
At the regional level, the Kimberley Regional Operations Centre, located in Broome, supports Local Operations Centre and provides general oversight and direction for Remote Service Delivery in the Kimberley.
At the State level, the Department of Indigenous Affairs’ (DIA) Director General, as the State Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services, works with the State Operations Committee, jointly convened with the Commonwealth Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs’ (FaHCSIA) State Manager, to monitor overall progress, address barriers in and between agencies and ensure that commitments in the LIPs are delivered.
At the national level, the Office of the Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services assesses progress and advises governments where there are gaps or slow progress or where improvements need to be made to ensure governments meet their commitments under the RSD NP.
The RSD NP does not stand on its own. As part of a larger COAG Indigenous Reform, it relies on the application of Indigenous specific and mainstream National Agreements and National Partnerships1 in the priority locations. Its success also depends on the effective delivery of Commonwealth, State and Local government services in the priority RSD location.
- The National Agreements are: National Indigenous Reform Agreement, National Education Agreement, National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development, National Healthcare Agreement, National Affordable Housing Agreement, and National Disability Agreement.
The key Indigenous specific National Partnerships are on: Indigenous Economic Participation, Indigenous Early Childhood Development, Indigenous Health Outcomes, and Remote Indigenous Housing.
Mainstream National Partnerships contributing to the Remote Service Delivery NP are: Early Childhood Education, Literacy and Numeracy, Improving Teacher Quality, Social Housing, Homelessness, and Low Socio-Economic Schools Communities.
Details of each agreement are available from the COAG website
How this Plan was developed
There are two key community forums which have informed and driven the development of this plan:
- Halls Creek Advisory Group – formed in late 2009.
- Halls Creek Community Forum – created as a means of improving government engagement with community and to ensure that the development of the plan remained community-driven.
In addition to these structures the following also informed the development and content of the Local Implementation Plan:
- A review of previous and recent community consultations were undertaken, including the results of the Halls Creek Community Plan developed by the Shire of Halls Creek.
- Community workshops to determine a list of priorities under the Building Blocks.
- Household surveys to maximise the representative nature of the priorities.
- One-on-one interviews with Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members and representatives from government and non-government organisations.
- Community solutions workshops to allow the Halls Creek community an opportunity to design solutions to identified priorities.
Actions presented in this LIP are classified into three:
Projects that have been agreed and where action has commenced.
Projects where future action is required to finalise commitments (for example where a specific business plan is necessary to ensure effective outcomes or systemic reform is proposed which requires multiple stakeholder agreements).
Projects identified by the community requiring further consideration (to allow evaluation of impact, funding appropriation or policy reform).
3. Building Block Priorities
Early Childhood: the best start to life
For an equal start in life, Indigenous children need early learning, development and socialisation opportunities. Access to quality early childhood education and care services, including pre-school, playgroups, child care and family support services such as parenting programs and supports, is critical. Opportunities for parental engagement, a sustainable early childhood education and health workforce as well as facilities and physical infrastructure are required. Action in the areas of maternal, antenatal and early childhood health is relevant to addressing the child mortality gap and to early childhood development.
Local Priorities
Birthing Centre and Paediatric Services – A culturally appropriate birthing centre and paediatric services offered at Halls Creek District Hospital to service the entire Shire of Halls Creek.
For future consideration
Playgrounds / Parks – Increase the number of playgrounds/parks in Halls Creek and surrounding communities.
In partnership with the Shire of Halls Creek, funding sourced through the Regional Operations Centre for major upgrade of the Wellman Road Park to include a basketball court, family area, barbeque and playground equipment
Undertake an audit of playground needs for communities in Halls Creek and explore related land tenure issues
Increase services to children and families
To complete construction and open the Children and Family Centre for community use
DEEWR will fully fund two Indigenous childcare traineeship positions at the Little Nuggets Early Learning Centre from July 2010 to July 2013
See Attachment A – Table 1 for more detailed information on these priorities
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Schooling: learning for life
Education is key to future opportunities. Responsive schooling requires investments in infrastructure, workforce, and curriculum. The focus is on student literacy and numeracy achievement, opportunities for parental engagement, and school/community partnerships. Transition pathways into schooling and into work, post school education and training are also important.
Local Priorities
Literacy and Numeracy – Elevate students’ skills to meet that of mainstream Australia
Engage with community on possible solutions to literacy and numeracy issues, including re-engagement program for students and English as a Second Language training for teachers
Update and implement a continuing improvement process in the School-Community Partnership Agreement.
Increased resourcing through National Partnership Low Socio-economic Status School Communities funding.
Attendance and Engaging at Risk Children – Attendance needs to improve to allow students to receive the full benefits of education provided. Solutions include providing a bus service to communities. Educate parents of their responsibility to get their children to school
Facilitate community input into solutions for addressing attendance problems at school and engaging at risk children
Examine funding options for a school bus driver and for potential shared bus services between government and Catholic schools.
Curriculum – Include Aboriginal history, language and culture to build a sense of worth within the community to eliminate discrimination
Work with community on solutions for including Aboriginal language, history and culture into the curriculum and investigate funding opportunities for this to occur.
Alcohol, Drug and Sexual Health Education – Prevention measures and information of available services for those affected by associated problems; prevention of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmissible diseases; and prevention of and support for victims of sexual abuse
Investigate ways of improving access to information, raising awareness and implementing prevention programs. Analyse what already exists and improvements that can be made, with community input.
See Attachment A – Table 2 for more detailed information on these priorities
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Health: lifelong health
Access to effective, comprehensive primary and preventative health care is essential to improving health and life expectancy, and reducing early mortality caused by chronic disease. Closing the Indigenous health gap requires a concerted effort in the prevention, management and treatment of chronic disease. Indigenous children and their parents need access to programs and services that promote healthy lifestyles. All health services play an important role in providing Indigenous people with access to effective health care.
Local Priorities
Development of a strategic plan that will address and improve governance, coordination and planning of appropriate health services delivered in/into Halls Creek
Provision of funding to Yura Yungi Medical Service and the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service Council to review and strengthen regional governance
Formation of a Halls Creek Health Reference Group inclusive of all health service providers and community member representation
Development of a Halls Creek Health Infrastructure project plan that describes strategies to address resource and funding requirements
Development of a project plan to establish a health services coordinator position in Halls Creek to support the planning and coordination role of the Halls Creek Health Reference Group
Undertake the development of a transport project plan to commence implementation of strategies to improve physical access to health services
Development and implementation of an appropriate and accessible, well planned and coordinated Halls Creek ‘Healing and Social and Emotional Wellbeing Plan
Completion of a comprehensive mapping of services relating to healing services available in or to the Halls Creek community and provide this information to the Halls Creek Reference Group
Development and implementation of strategies that will address the environmental health and home health issues and gaps in Halls Creek
Completion of a mapping of all environmental health programs existing and funded into Halls Creek by all levels of government and the private sector
Work with the Halls Creek Housing and Safe Communities reference groups to develop a business case to seek funding for the appropriate resources to address environmental and home health issues
Establish a comprehensive Chronic Disease Prevention Strategy
Completion of a comprehensive mapping of chronic disease prevention and treatment services, recreational activities and facilities available in or to the Halls Creek community and provide to the Halls Creek Health Reference Group
Early identification and support for families at risk
Completion of mapping of all family and child support and intervention services available in or to Halls Creek
Undertake a promotional and awareness communication strategy to improve community knowledge about support services available
Work with the Halls Creek Health, Early Childhood and Safe Communities reference groups to develop a project plan to address the gaps in support or intervention services required to support and assist families at risk
Develop a comprehensive renal plan for Halls Creek
Complete a comprehensive identification of the issues, gaps and barriers to accessing renal dialysis treatments in home, community and away from Halls Creek
Mapping of existing renal disease prevention services and programs available in Halls Creek and provide to the Halls Creek Health Reference Group
Develop a Halls Creek renal disease prevention and dialysis plan to address gaps and resource requirements
Development of a comprehensive Halls Creek Child Health Plan
Identify Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders services, programs and support options, including currently and not currently available in Halls Creek
Development of a strategy that addresses Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders awareness and prevention as well as implementing programs for support and treatment
Improved delivery and access to Aged Care and Disability Services
Develop an Aged Care and a Disability services and facilities strategic document which described gaps, priorities and strategies for improvement of aged care and disability services in Halls Creek
Development of a Halls Creek Sexual Health Plan
Develop a Halls Creek pre-pregnancy, sexual health plan
See Attachment A – Table 3 for more detailed information on these priorities
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Economic Participation: building wealthy communities
Indigenous families and communities should have the opportunity to benefit from the mainstream economy – real jobs, business opportunities, economic independence and wealth creation. Employment and training programs, incentive structures and social and physical infrastructure, including communications and transport, are needed to foster economic participation and community engagement. Access to land and native title assets, rights and interests can be leveraged to secure real and practical benefits for Indigenous people. The design and delivery of individual and community support (both transfer payments and services) needs to promote active engagement, enhanced capability and positive social norms.
Local Priorities
Training relevant to local jobs; Improve employment opportunities
Ensure that Indigenous community members have the relevant skills to take on employment within the community; including basic skills such as life skills, work readiness, numeracy, literacy and computer skills as well as building on employment opportunities
Development of employment and economic development strategies, including an analysis of training needs, current and future employment opportunities and economic aspirations within Halls Creek.
Indigenous Business Enterprise – Increase the number of Indigenous owned businesses, including appropriate support
Explore opportunities for increasing the number of Indigenous owned businesses in Halls Creek, including assistance for purchasing businesses when they become available for sale
Bus service to communities – provision of a bus service to communities
Investigate the need for and viability of a bus service, including potential funding sources
See Attachment A – Table 4 for more detailed information on these priorities.
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Healthy Homes: investing in better housing
A healthy home is a fundamental precondition of a healthy population. Health living conditions must include adequate water and sewerage systems, waste collection, electricity, appropriate housing design and maintenance and sufficient number of houses. Children in particular need to live in accommodation that has good environmental health, provides space for study and is free of overcrowding.
Local Priorities
Men’s Place – A place for men to go to access services and take time out
Investigate possible locations for a men’s place and services to be offered
Aboriginal Hostel – Establishment of a venue for Indigenous people visiting Halls Creek to stay
Identify funding sources in order to undertake a scoping exercise/feasibility study for an Aboriginal Hostel in Halls Creek.
Environmental health improvements and education – Improve environmental health conditions and raise awareness of environmental health issues
Develop an environmental health strategy that looks at all of the issues raised by community, including sewerage, animal management, pest control, housing maintenance, rubbish disposal and water usage/storage
Home Ownership – Raise awareness of options for home ownership and what it means
Facilitate discussions around the development of an awareness campaign for the responsibilities of home ownership. Awareness sessions to start with the Housing Reference Group
See Attachment A – Table 5 for more detailed information on these priorities
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Safe Communities: keeping families safe
All Indigenous children, youth, women and men need to be safe from violence, abuse and neglect. Improving family and community safety is essential through child protection, law and justice responses (including accessible and effective policing and an accessible justice system), victim support (including safe houses and counselling services), and preventive approaches. Addressing related factors such as alcohol and substance abuse will be critical to improving both community safety and achieving improved health outcomes.
Local Priorities
Housing repairs and maintenance -
- Include single person’s unit dwellings in future home building program
- Security screens for windows and doors
- Introduction of power cards to Halls Creek town area
- Front fencing and landscaping of yards
- Responsive maintenance
Facilitate discussions with the relevant line agencies and service providers on the inclusion of single person’s dwellings in future building programs and standard levels of home security
Explore a feasibility study on the use of power cards within the town of Halls Creek
Reconciliation – Eliminate structural and institutional racism so that people can feel safe; conflict resolution between all sectors of the community to improve cohesion
Develop a Reconciliation Action Plan, including conflict resolution and mediation and events, which bring the community together
Raise community awareness of current avenues for racism complaints and investigate options for local avenue for complaints/advocator
Review the Aboriginal Justice Agreement with the aim of its successful implementation
Bitumen Tanami Road and Duncan Highway – Ensure the condition of the Tanami Road and Duncan Highway are improved to reduce the incidence of accidents and wear and tear on vehicles as well as benefitting from the improved access to services and economic outcomes
Examine long term funding options to improve the condition of the roads, including the Shire of Halls Creek’s proposal to have the Tanami Road recognised as an important interstate thoroughfare
Youth Services – Improve and increase the number of programs for youth and supply transport services to assist youth attend activities
Facilitate coordination of youth services, ensuring that community has input to the type of services offered and support the Shire of Halls Creek to attract resources for youth services
Undertake an analysis of under utilised bus services within the community and explore options for providing transport for youth the attend youth programs
See Attachment A – Table 6 for more detailed information on these priorities
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Governance and Leadership: empowering communities
Strong leadership is needed to champion and create ownership of the Indigenous reform agenda. Effective governance arrangements in communities and organisations as well as strong engagement by governments at all levels are essential to long term sustainable outcomes. Indigenous people need to be engaged in the development of reforms that will impact on them. Improved access to capacity building in governance and leadership is needed in order for Indigenous people to play a greater role in exercising their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Local Priorities
Community Centre – Provision of a designated community centre suitable as a meeting/gathering place
Work with Shire of Halls Creek and community organisations to explore potential sites and services which could be delivered from a community centre, how a community centre would operate and funding options
Improved art and cultural focus for Halls Creek – Provision of a centre to display, record, teach and preserve local art and culture
Investigate possible funding sources for an arts centre building and develop the capacity of Yarlyil
Cultural governance: formation and strengthening of formal governance structure for Halls Creek – Enhancement and development of more structured and formal governance structures in Halls Creek with representation from elders, traditional owners, language groups, stolen generation, service providers and the broader community
Facilitate establishment of an Elders’ Reference Group
Establish reference groups relevant to each of the Building Blocks
Reconciliation – Eliminate structural and institutional racism so that community members are not excluded from decision making regarding mainstream programs and services as well as being considered for employment opportunities
Develop a Reconciliation Action Plan
Leadership development, including youth leadership – Strengthen leadership and governance structures, including non-government organisations and Aboriginal corporations
Explore training and development opportunities which enhance the capacity of community to participate in culturally appropriate decision making forums and engage appropriate providers to undertake development
See Attachment A – Table 7 for more detailed information on these priorities
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Land, Language and Culture
Culture, land and culture shape the people and the community in which they live. The Halls Creek community has included land, language and culture as an essential building block for achieving the closing the gap targets.
Local Priorities
Teaching on Country – Support the intergenerational transfer of knowledge and language associated with country
Work with Kimberley Language Resource Centre to facilitate on-country meeting of community and stakeholders to establish prioritisation of activities and how existing programs can be strengthened.
Kimberley Land Council office located in Halls Creek – Establishment of an office in Halls Creek to provide better services to residents and support the Kimberley Stolen Generation with Link-Up
Explore potential for establishment of a Kimberley Land Council office in Halls Creek, including processes and issues to be considered in the establishment of an office and potential timeframes.
Cross Cultural Awareness Training – Provision of cross cultural awareness training for people working within Halls Creek, to understand the environment they are working in and the people they are working with
Engage appropriate training providers to deliver training, with community to be involved in its design.
Land matters, including excisions for Stolen Generation and Traditional Owners
Facilitate discussions between all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the community is well informed about the current status of land excisions on Moola Bulla Station and a parcel of land south of Halls Creek and its wishes are taken on board with respect to use of that land.
See Attachment A – Table 8 for more detailed information on these priorities
4. Local Implementation Plans – An Iterative Process
This Local Implementation Plan for Halls Creek is a ‘living’ document, and is to be considered as the initial step in a continuing iterative planning and implementation process. The Halls Creek community determined the priority targets for the first iteration of the plan.
The following diagram reflects the approach and identifies the iterative nature of the process.
Each identified action in the Local Implementation Plan will generate a measurable project plan, including timelines, identify lead agencies and outline an engagement process. The evaluation points will be clearly identified.
Where a specific commitment has been made, the project plan will reflect milestones, expected expenditure pattern and evaluation points.
Where the agreement is for future action (including business planning, systemic reform and strategic investigations) again milestones will be identified and a timeline clearly articulated for action.
Where the action identified is for future consideration the project plan will identify the parties to enter negotiation, the timeline for a decision (or way forward) and the measures to be taken.
In Halls Creek, the development of these project plans will be completed in partnership, using established governance arrangements.
Progress will be measure monthly, both through situation reporting (presented to the State Operations Committee) and communicated to the community reference groups.
5. Glossary
- AHCWA
- Aboriginal Health Council of WA
- ALT
- Aboriginal Lands Trust
- COAG
- Council of Australian Governments
- DAO
- Drug and Alcohol Office
- DCS
- Department of Corrective Services
- DCP
- Department for Child Protection
- DoE
- Department of Education
- DEEWR
- Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- DoH
- Department of Health
- DoHA
- Department of Health and Ageing
- DIA
- Department of Indigenous Affairs
- DTWD
- Department of Training and Workforce Development
- FAHCSIA
- Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
- HMA
- Housing Management Agreement.
- Housing
- Department of Housing
- IBA
- Indigenous Business Australia
- IEO
- Indigenous Engagement Officer
- Jungarni
- Jungarni-Jutiya Alcohol Action Council Aboriginal Corporation of Halls Creek
- KACS
- Kimberley Aged Care Services
- KALACC
- Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre
- KAMSC
- Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council
- KDGP
- Kimberley Division of General Practice
- KLC
- Kimberley Land Council
- KLRC
- Kimberley Language Resource Centre
- LAC
- Local Area Coordinator
- LIP
- Local Implementation Plan
- LOC
- Local Operations Centre
- MHC
- Mental Health Commission of Western Australia
- NGO
- Non-Government Organisation
- RFDS
- Royal Flying Doctor Service
- ROC
- Regional Operations Centre
- RSD
- Remote Service Delivery
- SDERA
- School Drug Education and Road Aware
- SoHC
- Shire of Halls Creek
- WACHS
- Western Australian Country Health Service
- YYAMS
- Yura Yungi Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation
Attachment A - Table 1
EARLY CHILDHOOD: the best start to life
Shire of Halls Creek is the fastest growing shire in Western Australia. The region also has the youngest population in the whole of Western Australia, therefore early childhood services are very important to the Halls Creek community. Yura Yungi Aboriginal Medical Service estimated in 2007 that 12% of Indigenous residents in Halls Creek were aged 0-4years. Early childhood issues have been a high priority for Halls Creek residents for some time. The Shire of Halls Creek Community Strategy process and the Halls Creek Community Forum continue to identify aspects of early childhood health and wellbeing that need to be addressed.
The Little Nuggets Early Learning Centre currently provides a daycare service. The facility is situated at the Shire of Halls Creek office and is inadequate for providing childcare services as the facility does not meet current child care standards. This has been recognised by the community, relevant State government agencies and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. DEEWR will fund two Indigenous child care traineeship positions for the Little Nuggets Early Learning Centre via funding targeted to centre-based Indigenous funded child care services in RSD locations. DEEWR will provide 100% wages and on-costs, no direct costs to the service.
Halls Creek is also a priority location for a Children and Family Centre under the Indigenous Early Childhood National Partnership. The Western Australian Department of Education has carriage for implementing this, and consultation with the community and relevant stakeholders on all aspects of the Children and Family Centre are ongoing. Currently the design has been finalised and the tender to build the Centre has been advertised. Community will continue to be engaged and participate in the construction and management of the centre; including input into tender documentation and landscaping. There will also be a focus, in partnership with TAFE, Job Services and the High School to target potential childcare workers. A Governance Group will be established by the end of 2010. Little Nuggets will be incorporated into the new centre and will retain its name. C&K Playgroups, an organisation from Queensland, is currently running mobile playgroups and in the future will be able to run these at and through the Centre. DEEWR will fund two indigenous childcare traineeship positions for Little Nuggets Early Learning Centre via funding targeted to centre-based indigenous funded child care services in RSD locations. DEEWR will provide 100% wages and on-costs, with no direct costs to the service.
The Halls Creek District High School Strategic Plan, the National Partnership Plan on Low Socio-Economic Status School Communities will both need to be developed in conjunction with this building block. Further work will need to be undertaken under the early childhood building block between the community and other key stakeholders to develop further actions under each of the stated priorities and to consolidate action through the Children and Family Centre service model.
|
Aim: A culturally appropriate birthing centre and Paediatric Services offered at Halls Creek District Hospital to service the entire Shire of Halls Creek. Way forward: |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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COAG Outcome: |
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| Links with other Closing the Gap Building Blocks: Health | ||||
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|
DoH (lead) ROC/LOC Halls Creek Hospital |
Preliminary Discussions with stakeholders. | To ensure community members participate in the design of services | TBC | Has not commenced – Future consideration |
|
Aim: Increase in the number of playgrounds/parks in Halls Creek and surrounding communities. The communities outside of Halls Creek do not currently have playground equipment. Way forward: |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| COAG Outcome: 1.3 Indigenous children benefit from better social inclusion and reduced disadvantage |
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| Links with other Closing the Gap Building Blocks: Safe Communities, Healthy Homes, Schooling, Land, Language & Culture | ||||
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
| LOC & SoHC (co-lead) |
Auditing playground needs for communities around Halls Creek and to investigate land tenure and maintenance issues. Current activity
|
Communities outside of Halls Creek do not have playground equipment. | On-going | Commenced: |
|
Aim: Increase services to children and families through improved provision of:
Way forward: |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
COAG Outcome: 1.2 – Indigenous children acquire the basic skills for life and learning |
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| Links with other Closing the Gap Building Blocks: Safe Communities, Healthy Homes, Schooling, Health, Land, Language & Culture | ||||
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|
DoE (lead) Little Nuggets KLRC HC Hospital YYAMS Jungarni DEEWR DoHA HCDHS TAFE DoH |
Consultation on the building design has been completed. Community consultation is now focused on local governance arrangements, information to be placed into the expression of interest to operate the Centre, and the types of programs and services to be provided at or through the centre. | To ensure that community members play a lead role and have ownership in the development of the Children and Family Centre, its operations, and the programs and services to be delivered at and through it. | On-going | Agreed & FundedChildren & Family Centre to be built in Halls Creek |
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Attachment A - Table 2
SCHOOLING: learning for life
The Shire of Halls Creek has a relatively young population compared to the rest of Western Australia, this means that Schooling is of particular importance to the community. In a stakeholder meeting on 22 June further actions and priorities were suggested, however these will require further discussion with the community and interested stakeholders
Currently there is one government school catering for K-12 located in Halls Creek – Halls Creek District High School - and a private school – Warlawurru Catholic Primary School- which caters for K-7 and is located at Red Hill (Lunja) Community, approximately 2kms from the centre of Halls Creek town.
The Low Socio-economic Status School Communities National Partnership Agreement states that in 2009, 380 students were enrolled at Halls Creek District High School with only 78 students attending 90% of the time or more. (This includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous students; however 97% of the children enrolled in Halls Creek District High School are Indigenous). The student attendance rate is 67%, Warluwarru Catholic Primary School reported only 20% of students attend school on 9 out of 10 days. This indicates a large proportion of children who do not attend school at all or very irregularly. The Community members were particularly interested in targeting and engaging these children and improving general attendance levels.
Primary school attendance rates at Halls Creek District High School increased to 74% at the end of term 1 2010, from 62.7% in 2007 (compared to 92.6% for the whole of Western Australia).
The majority of children speak English as a second language. They come from many different cultural backgrounds and language groups from many parts of the Shire of Halls Creek. The children who are not engaged typically come from difficult home environments where the parents/carers suffer from addictions to drugs, alcohol and/or gambling and the houses are severely overcrowded and in poor condition. These living arrangements present many difficulties for children attempting to attend school as well as do homework as the environment may not be safe, may be noisy and generally not conducive to study.
DEEWR currently funds the Halls Creek Young Women’s Engagement and Enterprise project through the Hall’s Creek District High School aimed at female school age students who are disengaged. The project provides intensive support to reengage and an off-campus program including literacy and numeracy, health and well being and enterprise and work readiness skills.
Based on National Assessment Program -- Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing in 2009, the Halls Creek District High School is improving when compared to statistically similar schools (Social Economic Index), however there is much work to be done to close the gap compared to all other Australian schools.
Attached to this plan are the:
- Halls Creek District High School plans (which require further input into this planning process);
- Halls Creek District High School National Partnership-Low SES communities Plan; and
- Halls Creek District High School Strategic Plan 2010-2014.
Other plans from schools in the surrounding region will inform future versions of this plan.
Further planning work still needs to be undertaken under this building block between the community and the Halls Creek District High School and other surrounding schools.
Priority 1: Literacy & Numeracy
Aim: Elevate student’s skills to meet that of mainstream Australia
Current situation:
- A school – Community Partnership Agreement was developed recently.
- ICC has responded to this concern in 2008 under Petrol Sniffing Strategy – DEEWR funded partnership with School. Great results – funding expires Dec 10 need decision from DEEWR re continuing
Current initiatives/programs at HCDHS:
- Literacy
- A comprehensive Literacy Policy that covers the essential requirements to be a successful literacy teacher has been implemented.
- A whole of school focus on reading and writing. Also a focus on the early years (K-3) with the implementation of FELIKS lead by the AIEO team.
- Curriculum Learning Team Models with Teachers, AIEOs and EAs to create autonomy and meet individual needs is currently in action.
- Kimberley Literacy Profiles to monitor individual student success has been fully implemented.
- For Year 1-9 students an ability focussed literacy session in clusters has been implemented at the school. This will enable explicit teaching of skills and to effectively meet the individual needs of all students.
- A whole school speaking & listening program through PRK radio has been established.
- The KDEO Planning format in Learning Clusters linked to first steps and Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum is being implemented.
- Dedicated “core” time (1 hr a day) to each explicit numeracy skills has been implemented.
- Numeracy
- A comprehensive Numeracy Policy giving structure and focussed guidance on how to improve numeracy of students is being implemented.
- Operational plans and Curriculum Learning Team Models outlining best practice for teaching numeracy is being implemented.
- The ALS framework is being used to develop a recurring, strong numeracy practise across the whole school.
- For Year 1-9 students an ability focussed numeracy session in clusters has been implemented. This enables explicit teaching of skills to meet the individual needs of all students.
- Dedicated “core” time (1 hr a day) to each explicit numeracy skills has been implemented.
Way forward:
| Links with other Closing the Gap Building Blocks: Economic Participation, Health, Land, Language & Culture | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|
DoE (lead) LOC DEEWR HCDHS TAFE |
Engage with community on possible solutions to literacy and numeracy issues, including reengagement program for students (recognising that Halls Creek District High School currently runs the Halls Creek Young Womens’ Engagement and Enterprise Program and Clontarf Boys’ Academy currently operate in the community) and ESL background/training for teachers. Update and implement a continuing improvement process in the School-Community Partnership Agreement. |
The majority of children speak English as a second language. Whilst the High School is gaining improvements compared to statistically similar schools, there is much work to be done to close the gap compared to all other Australian schools. |
TBC |
Commenced: Already development of school-community partnership agreement |
|
Lead: DEEWR DoE |
Increased resourcing through National Partnership Low Socio-economic Status School Communities funding |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
Lead: DoE DEEWR CEO |
Access to school-based trade training to be developed |
Whilst the high school is gaining improvements compared to statistically similar schools, there is much work to be done to close the gap compared to other Australian schools. |
2011 |
Agreed future action plan for process developed |
|
Lead: DEEWR DoE CEO |
Kimberley Success Zone to promote teaching and schooling best practice |
end 2010-2011 |
Planning Underway - Agreed future action |
|
|
Lead: DoE |
Appointment of a level 3 literacy coordinator to implement a whole school approach to literacy using the Kimberley literacy profiling tool |
Underway 2010 and beyond |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
Priority 2: Attendance & Engaging at-risk children
Aim: Attendance needs to improve to allow students to receive the full benefits of education provided.
Current situation:
- VET training through TAFE has been difficult to sustain through lack of resources, and the adult education model of VET training is not meeting the needs of high school students
- Parents/carers need support with parenting skills & a broader region wide need for supporting parents in life skills and capacity building
- The Shire of Halls Creek offers youth services and has a ‘No School, No Pool’ policy. Non-attendees are also not allowed to participate in the youth services
Current initiatives/programs at HCDHS:
- In July 2010 the school implemented a policy aimed at keeping children in school named “It’s not ok to stay away”. The school plans to run this campaign in October 2010 as well.
- An attendance team led by SBAO and integrated into student services is being implemented.
- Attendance targets built into clusters. Increased resources and targets focussed on early childhood education.
- Incorporating the brighter futures plan into school policy is currently under review.
- Nutrition program, school shirts and attendance awards
- Positive incentives including; pool day, budget per classrooms etc
- Partnerships with external agencies, ie. police, DCP etc
- Regular dialogue with home and parents through regular communication, including; home visits, notes, newsletters, merit certificates and phone calls.
- Attendance Cup and Star awards for whole class and individual achievement recognition.
Initiatives at HCDHS to build school & community partnerships:
- Community Forums held every term to be implemented
- Monthly School Council meetings
- Community-run cultural induction for all staff to be implemented.
- School Community Partnership Agreement to be established.
- School open days, concerts and invitational functions for parents.
Way forward:
| Links with other Closing the Gap Building Blocks: Economic Participation, Health, Safe Communities, Land, Language & Culture | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|
DoE CEO LOC SoHC |
Facilitate community input into solutions for addressing attendance problems at school and engaging at-risk children. Look at areas such as youth services and better engagement with VET. |
A large proportion of children either do not attend school or do so irregularly. Community members want to target and engage these children. |
January 2011 |
Not yet commenced |
|
LOC DoE CEO |
Review the student services elements of the Halls Creek District High School Strategic Plan (e.g. the focus on school attendance) with a view to engagement and partnership with the community on school attendance targets and strategies. |
End 2010 |
Agreed future action |
|
|
DoE (lead) CEO |
Examine possibility of increasing the ratio of Indigenous staff to allow for one Indigenous staff member in every classroom |
TBC |
Agreed future action |
|
|
ROC (lead) DPI DoE CEO |
Examine funding options to pay school bus driver. Organise shared bus route with Catholic School and bus. Raise awareness of bus service and ensure children use provided bus service. |
November 2010 |
ROC to fund school bus stops. Agreed future action |
|
|
DEEWR (lead) ROC Youth Connections |
Undertake an evaluation of the Halls Creek Young Women’s Engagement and Enterprise project to measure its success at engaging at risk students. |
End 2010 |
Agreed future action |
|
Priority 3: Curriculum
Aim: Include Aboriginal History Language and Culture to build sense of self worth within the community to eliminate discrimination.
Current situation:
Current initiatives/programs at HCDHS
- Re-introduce the teaching of Aboriginal Languages; including LOTE classes every week and a real emphasis on two-way learning through utilising the AIEOs and Aboriginal staff.
Way forward:
| Links with other Closing the Gap Building Blocks: Land, Language & Culture, Economic Participation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|
DoE (lead) ROC KLRC HCDHS DEEWR |
Work with community on solutions for including Aboriginal, Language, History and Culture into curriculum. Investigate funding opportunities for this to occur. Encourage parents to engage in Aboriginal history, language and culture activities, as well as engaging with relevant community organisations. |
Language and culture is of high importance to many community members -- steps need to be taken to preserve remaining language and culture |
TBC |
Has not commenced |
|
DoE Principal and School Halls Creek Community |
Establish the school community partnership agreement to:
|
End 2010 |
Agreed future action |
|
Priority 4: Alcohol, Drug and Sexual Health Education
Aim:
Prevention measures and information of available services for those affected by associated problems.
Prevention of unwanted pregnancies, STDs and prevention and support for victims of sexual abuse.
Current situation:
- A Yura Yungi Sexual Health Worker currently visits the school every fortnight to offer services.
Way forward:
| Links with other Closing the Gap Building Blocks: Health, Healthy Homes, Safe Communities, Economic Participation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|
DoE (lead) ROC LOC HCDHS Principal and School other community agencies Yura Yungi Community Health |
Investigate ways of improving access to information, raising awareness and implementing prevention programs. Analysis of what already exists and improvements that can be made with community input. |
Fertility rate for Indigenous mothers aged 15-19 is nearly 8 times total Australian population rate. Cycles of alcohol and drug overuse need to be broken. |
TBC |
Not yet commenced Future Consideration |
[ Return to Top Return to Section ]
Attachment A - Table 3
HEALTH: lifelong health
BACKGROUND
On 29 November 2008, COAG agreed to an historic $1.6 billion dollar National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on Closing The Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes to specifically address the first of the COAG Closing The Gap targets- to close the gap in life expectancy within a generation.
The Commonwealth will contribute $805.5 million over four years to address three priority areas in the National Partnership Agreement on Closing The Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes - Tackling Smoking, Primary Health Services That Can Deliver and Fixing The Gaps And Improving The Patient Journey. The Western Australian Government committed $117.43 million dollars over four years to address five priority areas- Tackling Smoking, Primary Health Services That Can Deliver, Fixing The Gaps And Improving The Patient Journey, Making Indigenous Health Everyone’s Business and Healthy Transition To Adulthood.
Both the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments have worked with key stakeholders to develop implementation plans committing the funds and have commenced the implementation of strategies to address the priority areas in all regions of Western Australia.
Subsequently, both the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments have agreed to further progress Closing The Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes in Halls Creek by committing to the Remote Service Delivery NPA. The Local Implementation Plan (LIP) for the health building block will provide the Community local level direction setting required for Government commitment and investments to Close The Gap in Indigenous health Outcomes in Halls Creek.
PROCESS IN DEVELOPING HEALTH BUILDING BLOCK
The information included in this section of the LIP was drawn from a variety of sources including:
- Existing documents
A number of previously developed health consultation and planning documents have been reviewed, aligned and accessed in preparation of the Halls Creek health Local Implementation Plan document. These include (and are not limited to):
- Service Provider planning documents and feedback
- Better Life Project documents and feedback
- State and Commonwealth planning documents and feedback
- Shire of Halls Creek health consultation documents and feedback
Household survey
The Local Operations Centre undertook a detailed household survey to determine the Community identified health priorities for further focus in this iteration of the Remote Service Delivery NPA Local Implementation Plan (LIP).
- Halls Creek Community Forum and community “solutions” workshops
Local Operations Centre staff and Regional Operations Centre staff facilitated a number of health specific Community stakeholder workshops to further inform priority health issues, gaps and solutions to be included in this LIP.
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE FOR HEALTH BUILDING BLOCK
During the Leadership and Governance solutions workshop held on June 9, 2010 the attendees agreed to a formal Governance structure that includes a reference group for each of the eight building blocks, including health. Membership of the health reference group will include a member from each area within the Halls Creek town region as well as one representative from each health service provider. Agreement was also made that one service provider and one community member from the health reference group would sit on the Advisory Group.
Future challenges will include:
- Establishing suitable housing stock for existing and new positions.
- Ensuring that the development of plans and programs is at direction of Community and in partnership with all relevant agencies and the Community.
- Implementing adequate support for existing local and regional health governance, planning and coordination groups as they take on more responsibility in addressing issues through the LIP.
- Negotiating funding for identified FTE’s and programs to ensure that the positive, short-term changes in health outcomes are translated into long-term health outcomes that are comparable to the broader population.
- Building autonomy and sustainability in local Communities
Government “doing business differently” to Close The Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes: Remote Service Delivery NPA for Health
- Community and Government process to agreement on priority health action
- Government supporting local Community strategies to enhance and sustain local health decision making
- Community developed performance indicators on health
- Reporting to Community on health progress
- Health service contract management to oblige Community partnered planning, coordination and direction setting and direction setting
Priority 1: Development of a strategy plan that will address and improve Governance, Coordination and Planning of appropriate health services delivered in/into Halls Creek, this will include:
Aim:- Support for and strengthening of health service governance and local decision making
- Establishing local and regional planning in partnership with Community and health service providers
- Scoping of community clinic services (including infrastructure, staffing and programs).
- Revision of visiting health services in relation to meeting changing Community needs.
- Improved awareness of and access to permanent and visiting services by Community.
Current Situation: A complex matrix of health decision making, coordination and planning exists mostly outside of the local environment.
Way Forward:
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A: SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HEALTH SERVICES TO STREGTHEN GOVERNANCE AND DECISION MAKING | ||||
|
Lead: ROC/LOC Co Lead: Halls Creek Health Reference Group Partners: YYMS Jungarni Aged Care services DoHA FaHCSIA DIA WACHS SoHC RFDS Other State and Commonwealth Departments |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Good quality governance and guidelines can lead to improved patient care, clinical governance and health outcomes. Community raised governance as an issue in Halls Creek- requesting better supports, training, and encouragement. |
June 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
June 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
2009-2013 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
June 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
March – Ongoing |
Agreed future action |
||
Investments for implementation and sustainability of strategies |
December 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
| 1B: MAPPING CURRENT ACTIVITY, FACILITIES AND GAPS | ||||
|
Lead: ROC/LOC Co lead: Halls Creek Health Reference Group Partners: YYMS Jungarni Aged Care services in Halls Creek DoHA WACHS KDGP Anglicare/Kinway St John of God |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Service providers, Community members and funding bodies have recognised a need for clear understandings of current and future capital needs, Halls Creek infrastructure over capacity- all further FTE and program funding/resources is dependent on working space and accommodation |
March- August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
March 2010- on-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
March 2010- on-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
June 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
Dec 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
| 1C: HALLS CREEK HEALTH SERVICE PLANNING AND COORDINATION TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND UPTAKE OF HEALTH SERVICES | ||||
|
Lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Group Co lead- ROC/LOC Partners: YYMS Jungarni DoHA WACHS KDGP KCDST Aged Care services Anglicare/Kinway St John of God DAO |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Community have requested better coordination of service provision To address possible duplication wastages and assist with partnership and value add models of service delivery that improve outcome for Community members Lack of communication and coordination between service providers and across the continuum of care |
June 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
March 2010- on-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
||||
|
June 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
2009/2010 2009-ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
Dec 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
| 1D: DEVELOPMENT OF A HEALTH TRANSPORT STRATEGY FOR HALLS CREEK AND ITS SURROUNDS | ||||
|
Lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Group Co lead- LOC/ROC Partners: YYMS Jungarni Aged Care services DoHA FaHCSIA DIA WACHS SoHC RFDS Other State and Commonwealth Departments |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Improving physical access to health services- physical access is a major barrier to health service in remote settings. Community have identified a number of transport issues affecting access to health service and have requested action to address |
March 2010- on-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
June 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
June 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
December 2010 |
Agreed future action And Future Consideration |
||
Priority 2: Development and implementation of an appropriate and accessible, well planned and coordinated, Halls Creek “Healing and Social and Emotional Wellbeing Plan” this will include strategies relating to:
Aim:
- Healing and trauma
- Counselling and social supports
- Alcohol and drug management and prevention plan
- Suicide prevention
- Mental health services
- Youth focus, engagement and diversion
- Violence related harm
Current Situation: A number of programs addressing the aims exist, poorly coordinated and gaps in addressing whole issues are apparent to Community
Way Forward:
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2A: MAPPING CURRENT ACTIVITY AND FACILITIES | ||||||||
|
Lead- ROC/LOC Co lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Group Partners: DoHA FaHCSIA/Kununurra ICC SoHC Darrell Henry Safe Care Consortium Mental Health Commission YYMS Jungarni WACHS KDGP Anglicare/Kinway SDERA St John of God Women’s refuge Police DCS DCP DAO |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Community, service providers and funding bodies requesting clear understanding of all of the programs and services operating to address SEWB and healing outcomes for Community |
March 2010- August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||||
|
March 2010- ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced |
||||||
|
March 2010- ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced |
||||||
|
June 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||||||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
Dec 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||||||
| 2B: DEVELOPMENT OF A PROJECT PLAN | ||||||||
|
Lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Group Co lead- LOC/ROC Partners: DoHA Mental Health Commission FaHCSIA/Kununnurra ICC Darrell Henry Safe Care Consortium YYMS Jungarni WACHS KDGP Anglicare/Kinway SDERA St John of God Women’s Refuge Police DCS DCP SoHC |
FUTURE ACTIVITY
These strategy documents will include a possible focus on:
|
Lack of culturally appropriate mental health services. Lack of appropriate and locally designed support services Local Aboriginal Community member recruitment and retention in SEWB programs in Halls Creek High rates of Indigenous mental health hospitalisation (higher than national rate) |
March 2011 |
Agreed future action |
||||
| 2C: EAST KIMBERLEY SUICIDE PREVENTION FORUM/SUMMIT | ||||||||
|
ROC- co lead LOC- co lead Halls Creek Health Reference Group- lead Mental Health Commission DoHA, DAO, FaHCSIA Darrell Henry Safe Care Consortium YYMS Jungarni WACHS KDGP Anglicare/Kinway SDERA St John of God |
CURRENT ACTIONS
|
High rates of Aboriginal Community member suicide and self harm High rate of trauma and grief not being addressed with adequate resourcing for locally designed strategies |
May 2010- on-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
||||
|
FUTURE ACTIONS
|
August 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||||||
|
October 2010 |
Future Consideration |
||||||
Priority 3: Development and implementation of strategies that will address the Environmental Health and Home Health issues and gaps in Halls Creek.
Aim: Improving the environmental and Housing situation to improve health and wellbeing
Current Situation: House, home and environmental health directly impacts of illness and wellness in the Community
Way Forward:
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Co lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Group Partners: SoHC Environmental Health NGOs State Health Department DoHA FaHCSIA DIA WACHS Other State and Commonwealth Government Departments |
CURRENT ACTIVITY Completion of a mapping of all environmental health programs existing and funded into Halls Creek by all levels of Government and private sector. |
Unhealthy homes and/or Communities have a significant impact on personal and family health outcomes Community members say that until homes are healthy people will be sick |
March - August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||||
|
Establish the Halls Creek environmental health gaps, issues and priorities, ensuring that house and home health issues are a major focus |
March - August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||||||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
Dec 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||||||
Priority 4: Establish a comprehensive Chronic Disease Prevention Strategy that includes:
Aim:
- A plan that improves access and uptake of healthy activities
- Prevention focus
- Health Promotion and Education
Current Situation: Gaps exist in access, demand and uptake of Chronic Disease prevention and treatment measures
Way Forward:
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4A: CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION | ||||
|
Lead- LOC/ROC Co lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Partners- YYMS DoHA WACHS- Kimberley Public health Physician KDGP TAFE State and Commonwealth Departments of Training (DEEWR and DTWD) |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Aboriginal people have higher rates of Chronic Disease Lack of communication and coordination between service providers and across the continuum of care The World health organisation’s Ottawa charter recommends a five pronged approach for health promotion including public awareness campaigns Health promotion is an important factor in reducing risk factors at the population level |
March 2010- August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
March 2010- August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
2009- ongoing COAG positions |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
2009/2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
2009/2010 funding |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
2010-ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
2009-2013 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
2009-on-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
Dec 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
| 4B: HEALTHY ACTIVITY | ||||
|
Lead- ROC/LOC Co lead- Halls Creek health Reference Group Partners- DoHA Department of Sport and Recreation SoHC KAMSC WACHS KDGP FaHCSIA/ICC Kununurra |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
March 2010- August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
Dec 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
Priority 5: Early identification and support for families at risk
Aim: Address the gaps in family supports that impact on health outcomes
Current Situation: Families in crisis do not have good access and uptake of health services
Way Forward:
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead- ROC/LOC Partners: Halls Creek Health Reference Group- co lead Halls Creek Safer Communities Reference Group- co lead SoHC DoH DCP YYMS Jungarni St John of God Women’s Refuge Anglicare/Kinway DoHA FaHCSIA DIA WACHS |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Evidence indicates that delays in health treatments and poorer health outcomes exist for patients whom: Have fewer years of education, have lower income, who are too afraid or embarrassed to ask for assistance. Community members request the family support services gaps are addressed in order to address health |
March-August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
December 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
February 2011 |
Future Consideration |
Priority 6: Develop a comprehensive Renal Plan for Halls Creek, this will include:
Aim:
- Strategies that will address Halls Creek Community Renal Dialysis needs in Halls Creek Community and outside of Community
- Development of a renal disease prevention plan.
Current Situation: Gaps in services, gaps in meeting community needs and poor coordination of existing services
Way Forward:| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6A: ACUTE RENAL NEEDS | ||||
|
Lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Group Co lead- LOC/ROC Partners- DoH YYMS Jungarni DoHA KAMSC WACHS FaHCSIA DIA |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Community prioritised renal dialysis as one of the highest priorities for the Halls Creek Community |
March- on-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
July-Sep 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
December 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
December 2010 |
Future Consideration |
||
|
Feb 2011 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
Feb 2011 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
March 2011 |
Future Consideration |
||
| 6B: RENAL DISEASE PREVENTION | ||||
|
Lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Group Co lead- LOC/ROC Partners- DoH YYMS Jungarni DoHA FaHCSIA DIA KAMSC WACHS |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Community recognised the need for a prevention approach to stem need for dialysis |
March- ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
FUTURE ACTIONS Mapping of existing renal disease prevention services and programs available in Halls Creek, provide this information to the Halls Creek Health Reference Group |
September 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
Identification of strategies required to improve prevention services to be |
December 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
| Development of a renal disease prevention plan including strategies and resource requirements. |
Feb 2011 |
Agreed future action |
||
Priority 7: Development of a comprehensive Halls Creek Child Health Plan, that will focus on:
Aim:
- Addressing Foetal Alcohol Syndrome/Spectrum Disorder (FAS/D)
- Improving holistic child health outcomes
- No existing FAS/D services or supports and a complex matrix of child health services and programs with poor coordination
Way Forward
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7A: FAS/D | ||||
|
Lead- ROC/LOC Co lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Group Partners- YYMS Jungarni DoHA FaHCSIA KAMSC WACHS KDGP Anglicare/Kinway DoE CEO DEEWR |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Community relay that there are no services and/or supports in place to deal with identification, treatment and support. Halls Creek Community aware that Fitzroy Community addressing FAS/D |
March 2010- ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
March to August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
December 2010 |
Future Consideration |
||
Health promotion campaign |
February 2010 |
Future Consideration |
||
| 7B: CHILD AND INFANT HEALTH | ||||
|
Lead- Halls Creek Health Committee Co lead- ROC/LOC Partners- DoHA YYMS WACHS KDGP St John of God DoH DoE |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Aboriginal child mortality rate almost 3 times the State total. Coordination, partnership approaches and value add models to service delivery will assist in addressing child health outcomes |
March-August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
2009/2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
Dec 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
Dec 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
Feb 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
| 7C: SCHOOL HEALTH | ||||
|
Lead-Halls Creek Health Reference Group Co lead- Halls Creek Schooling Reference Group Partners- LOC/ROC DoHA YYMS St John of God WACHS KAMSC KDGP DoE DoH, SDERA |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Enhancing school and health service partnerships will assist to develop a service that will respond to the needs of youth and children in schools. |
March- Aug 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
December 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
December 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
Priority 8: Improved delivery and access to Aged Care and Disability services
Aim: Address aged care and disability service gaps
Current Situation:
- Gaps in service delivery, access and uptake of both aged care and disability services
- Shire of Halls Creek has a Disability Access & Inclusion Plan
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8A: AGED CARE | ||||
|
Lead- ROC/LOC Co lead-Halls Creek Health Reference Group Partners- Halls Creek residential and Community Aged Care services- co lead FaHCSIA DoHA WACHS KDGP KACS-co lead SoHC |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Community described extra assistances required for aged population with complex care/health needs and difficult care base environment |
March 2010- August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
December 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
Ensure the resource requirements and strategies to address these are outlined in document. |
December 2010 |
Future Consideration |
||
| 8B: DISABILITY SERVICES | ||||
|
Lead- ROC/LOC Co lead-Halls Creek Health Reference Group Partners- Disability Service Commission Halls Creek residential and Community Aged Care services FaHCSIA DoHA WACHS KDGP SoHC |
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
Community described little to no permanent disability support services located permanently in the Community |
Dec 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
Dec 2010 |
Agreed future action |
||
|
Dec 2010 |
Future Consideration |
||
Priority 9: Development a Halls Creek Sexual Health Plan
Aim: Identify and address sexual health service needs in Halls Creek
Current Situation: A number of programs and services working without coordination and networks, some gaps in service delivery impacting on health outcomes
Way Forward:
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead- Halls Creek Health Reference Group Co lead- ROC/LOC Partners- Halls Creek Women’s Refuge Headspace YYMS DoHA DoH FaHCSIA WACHS KDGP St John of god Anglicare/Kinway |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
Data shows that STIs and hepatitis C were more common among Aboriginal people than others in WA Family planning and pre pregnancy health are pre cursors to healthy childbirth and child/paternal health outcomes |
March-August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
March- ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced |
||
|
FUTURE ACTIVITY
|
December 2010 |
Agreed future action |
[ Return to Top Return to Section ]
Attachment A - Table 4
ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION: building wealthy communities
Economic participation is an important priority for the Halls Creek community. This is economic participation promotes independence, empowerment, improved self-esteem, growth and purpose.
Economic Participation has taken on a particular importance in recent times due to the lifting of the Remote Area Exemption under Welfare Reform. This means that community members receiving government benefits are required to satisfy mutual obligation requirements, through employment, training or education.
There are a number of businesses in Halls Creek, providing many of the services available in larger communities. Most of the businesses in Halls Creek are owned by non-Indigenous people and the community is very interested in increasing Indigenous ownership of businesses within the town. The economic growth areas in Halls Creek are pastoral, tourism, art and culture and conservation & land management. In 2015 the 99 year leases expire on properties so there are opportunities for diversification of leases.
There are three stages of the development of an economy in Indigenous communities. They are:
-
Subsistence Economy
This is a very basic economy where people are focussed on survival needs and the environment. -
Transitional Economy
This type of economy relies heavily on government or external investment. -
Mainstream Market Economy
This type of economy is where businesses within the economy are self-sustaining.
The aim of economic development is to move to a mainstream market economy within Halls Creek for most businesses and organisations.
Priority 1 – Training relevant to local jobs
Priority 2 - Improve employment opportunities i.e. more jobs
Aim: Ensure that Indigenous community members have the relevant skills to take on employment within the community, including basic skills such as life skills, work readiness, numeracy, literacy and computer skills as well as building on employment opportunities.
Current situation:
- Bina-waji Nyurra-nga Aboriginal Corporation at Burke’s Park can provide training that develops young men to a point of job readiness for local jobs
- Lack of knowledge on the training needs and employment opportunities in the community (some work has been done by EKCDEP)
- EK CDEP is implementing a Community Action Plan which uses projects to deliver skills and work readiness training
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
4.1 The Indigenous working age population has the depth and breadth of skills to enable effective educational, labour market and social participation
4.2 Indigenous people of working age participate effectively in all sectors of the labour market
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
FaHCSIA and DEEWR JSAs (ITEC and Wunan/Job Futures), East Kimberley CDEP TAFE HCDHS DTWD (partner) SoHC |
Development of Employment Strategy including analysis/audit of training needs and employment opportunities within Halls Creek, including analysis of future opportunities and directions for employment and training while building on existing assets within the community. |
If CDEP positions are excluded the Indigenous employment rate in Halls Creek in 2006 was 23% |
March 2011 |
Future Consideration |
|
LOC DIA |
Development of Economic Development Strategy to:
|
March 2011 |
Future Consideration |
|
|
EKCDEP |
Implementation of Community Action Plan 2009-12 to improve the skills, capacity and work readiness of CDEP participants to engage in the mainstream economy, and to ensure that priorities identified for Halls creek are where possible addressed through ‘community development’ projects within CDEP. Current Activity: Capital purchased. Community development workers, mentors and training coordinator employed |
2009-12 |
Agreed & Commenced |
Priority 3: Indigenous Business Enterprise
Aim: Increase the number of Indigenous-owned businesses, including appropriate support.
Current situation:
- Many of the businesses in Halls Creek are not Indigenous-owned.
- Reports that business proposals do not get approved by the Shire for one reason or another.
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
4.1 The Indigenous working age population has the depth and breadth of skills to enable effective educational, labour market and social participation
4.2 Indigenous people of working age participate effectively in all sectors of the labour market
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IBA DEEWR SoHC Dept of Commerce |
Look at ways to increase the number of Indigenous-owned businesses in Halls Creek as well as ways of Indigenous people taking advantage of businesses when they are put up for sale. |
Community is very interested in increasing Indigenous ownership of businesses in the town. |
April 2011 |
Future Consideration |
Priority 4: Bus Service to communities
Aim: Provide bus service to communities
Current situation: There are limited transport options for people coming into the Halls Creek service hub for shopping, health appointments and work. This poses added safety issues at night.
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
4.1 The Indigenous working age population has the depth and breadth of skills to enable effective educational, labour market and social participation
4.2 Indigenous people of working age participate effectively in all sectors of the labour market
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC (lead) |
Further investigate need for bus service and viability of operating a bus. Investigate funding sources. |
Lack of transportation limits people’s ability to participate in education, training, employment and other economic activities. |
December 2010 |
Future Consideration |
[ Return to Top Return to Section ]
Attachment A - Table 5
HEALTHY HOMES: investing in better housing
The majority of houses in Halls Creek are social housing with a small percentage of privately owned dwellings. The majority of privately-owned dwellings are occupied by their owners, therefore there is a limited number of private rentals available in the town. The state-owned houses vary from one-bedroom units to four-bedroom homes.
The community has shown dissatisfaction regarding repairs and maintenance to homes for several years. Many community members also recognise the mutual obligation surrounding housing repairs and maintenance. This means that while the Department of Housing (Housing) is obligated to provide timely responses to maintenance and repair requests, the tenant also has an obligation to keep the house clean and not cause unfair wear and tear through negligence.
Land tenure is a significant issue, with very little land available for private purchase, and Native Title is still to be resolved in Halls Creek. Until such time that the issues are resolved and land is available for private purchase, Indigenous residents of Halls Creek will remain dependent upon social housing and rentals.
A further significant consideration in regards to Healthy Homes is the issues surrounding ALT land, which make it difficult for the Department of Housing to provide housing on this land and for the Shire of Halls Creek to deliver municipal services. The difficulties in supplying these services have a significant impact on the environmental health of the communities on ALT land.
The Aboriginal Housing Legislation Amendment Act 2010 was recently passed through parliament and comes into effect on 1 July 2010. The Act makes amendments to the Housing Act 1980, and allows Aboriginal communities to enter into a Housing Management Agreement (HMA) with the Department of Housing – effectively appointing the Department (or its agent) to provide housing management services. This also means that the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 can be applied to all tenancies at remote Aboriginal communities. This application of the RTA provides increased protection for tenants in that properties must be maintained to a reasonable standard, but also increased responsibilities with regard to paying rent and keeping the property clean and free from damage.
HMAs also meet the funding requirements of the Commonwealth under the Remote Indigenous Housing National Partnership agreement, which states that the State must have control and access to the land for a 40 year period, and must provide tenancy management under a public housing like model. In July, Housing is commencing HMA negotiations with 34 priority communities who are earmarked for capital works in the 2010-2011 program. The negotiations include liaising with Native Title Bodies, the ALT, Community Elders & Residents and the Community Council to ensure that all stakeholders are fully informed and have the opportunity to consider the HMA.
Priority 1: Men’s Place
Aim: A place for men to go to access services and take time-out. Current situation: With the introduction of the alcohol restrictions this has become a very important priority Way forward:COAG Outcome:
5.1 Indigenous children’s living environments are healthy
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC/ROC (lead) SoHC Housing Health Services DoHA BLP |
Engage with men in the community to ascertain what was meant by a “men’s place” and what services should be offered. Investigate suitable venue for men’s place. | Local men have expressed the need for such a facility where they can access services and take time-out in a comfortable environment. | November 2010 | Future Consideration |
|
LOC/ROC (lead) DOH Health Services DoHA SoHC |
Investigate possible locations for a men’s place and possible services to be offered. | November 2010 | Future Consideration |
Priority 2: Aboriginal Hostel
Aim: Establish a venue for Indigenous people visiting Halls Creek to stay. This would assist in decreasing overcrowding.
Current situation:
- Currently people from other communities come to Halls Creek to access health services and other services and facilities and put extra pressure on an already strained housing situation. If Halls Creek is to be developed as a hub community an Aboriginal hostel needs serious consideration.
- Consultations have already been undertaken regarding the establishment of an Aboriginal Hostel in Halls Creek.
- Shire of Halls Creek is currently progressing this priority and is attempting to identify land for this purpose.
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
5.1 Indigenous children’s living environments are healthy
5.3 People have improved housing amenity and reduced overcrowding
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SoHC (lead) LOC/ROC DoHA Housing |
Identify funding sources in order to undertake a scoping exercise/feasibility study for an Aboriginal Hostel in Halls Creek; including operational requirements and costs, where the hostel would be built, how much to charge, cultural considerations and broader viability concerns. | To reduce overcrowding. | August 2010 | Agreed future action |
Priority 3: Environmental health improvements and education
Aim: Improve environmental health conditions and raise awareness of environmental health issues
Current situation:
- Ongoing problems with servicing ALT land
- Community suggested Tenant Creek model as a good practice education model for environmental health
- Housing will be providing life skills training, which will incorporate some environmental health issues
- Reports by community that sewerage ponds sitting on the water table
- Sewerage problems in communities outside the town area including blockages and problems with septic tanks. Suggestion that these communities be connected to town sewerage
- Current situation of water use and storage not sustainable
- A syndicate of infrastructure and non-infrastructure agencies are funding a project that will take an integrated approach to sustainable infrastructure planning in Halls Creek. The lead consultant for the project will be Syrinx Environmental Pty Ltd who has developed a methodology known as the Sustainable Infrastructure Decision Model. Syrinx reports were recently submitted to the Shire and the information will be fed back to the community at an up-coming Community Forum
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
5.1 Indigenous children’s living environments are healthy
5.2 Indigenous families live in appropriate housing with access to all basic utilities
5.3 People have improved housing amenity
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC/ROC (co-lead) SoHC (co-lead) Housing Health Services Water Corporation |
Develop an environmental health strategy that looks at the issues that the community has raised around environmental health, including; animal management, pest control, housing maintenance and rubbish disposal. | Healthy living environments are critical to satisfactory health outcomes. | February 2011 | Agreed & Commenced |
|
LOC/ROC (co-lead) SoHC (co-lead) Housing Health Services Water Corporation |
Development of a sustainable strategy around sewerage, water (including waste water) use and storage. Engage with Syrinx to ensure that they are looking at important issues raised by the community as part of their project and consulting with community members. Also ensure appropriate housing designs are implemented to reduce overcrowding, which can cause environmental health issues. | Healthy living environments are critical to satisfactory health outcomes. | Agreed & Commenced |
Priority 4: Home Ownership
Aim: Raise awareness of options for home ownership and what it entails.
Current situation:
- Community are not fully aware of the options for home ownership and what owning a home entails; i.e. repairs and maintenance costs, mortgage costs etc.
- Complaints from the community that house prices are over-inflated.
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
5.4 Indigenous people have the same housing opportunities as other people
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ROC (lead) LOC Housing IBA Keystart |
Facilitate discussions around the development of an awareness campaign for the responsibilities of home ownership. Awareness sessions to start with Housing Reference Group. | Community members are fully informed about what home ownership entails | On-going | Future Consideration |
|
Lead: DIA WA Australia Co-leads: FaHCSIA Partners: Department of Housing WA Partners: Department of Premier and Cabinet WA Partners: Housing Committee, SoHC |
CURRENT ACTIVITY
|
2008 - 2013 | Agreed & Commenced |
Priority 5: More housing for NGOs and other organisations with staff in the community
Aim: To increase the number of homes in Halls Creek to house NGO and other staff.
Current situation:
- This has been an on-going problem, which has been raised with the LAC and Co-ordinator General’s office by organisations within Halls Creek.
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC (lead) Housing Stakeholder organisations |
Gauge the level of need for extra houses for NGO and other staff and facilitate discussions and actions between relevant parties to ensure the need is met. | Service staff are appropriately housed within Halls Creek. | On-going | Future Consideration |
[ Return to Top Return to Section ]
Attachment A -Table 6
SAFE COMMUNITIES: keeping families safe
Safe Communities is a very important building block for the people of Halls Creek. It has been noted by people within the community that safety has improved since the introduction of the alcohol restrictions. There are, however, still concerns around housing, discrimination, drugs and alcohol and road conditions. The community have expressed particular concern about safety and security within their homes and have called for additional safety measures for their houses as well as responsive property maintenance when a repair is required that compromises the safety of the occupants, particularly if the occupants are children.
The need for cross-cultural awareness training, prepared and delivered at a local level has been expressed on numerous occasions to overcome structural and institutional discrimination within the community.
Priority 1: Housing repairs & maintenance
Aim:
- Include single person’s unit dwellings in future home building program.
- Put security screens on windows and doors to alleviate break-ins and vandalism
- Introduction of power cards to Halls Creek town area
- Front fencing of yards to keep children and toddlers safe from road traffic
- Landscaping yards
- Responsive maintenance
Current situation:
- Department of Housing (Housing) put security screens on all new houses and refurbished houses in the town area of Halls Creek
- Preliminary discussions with Housing indicate that the Department is open to the prospect of safety screening houses, particularly those with children in residence, however the cost of providing this service is currently prohibitive.
- All housing new-builds will have front fences as per Shire regulations.
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
6.2 - Indigenous children and parents are afforded basic protective security from violence and neglect
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC (lead) Housing |
Liaise with Housing to ensure that single person’s dwellings are included in future Public Housing Construction Program. *Housing has agreed to include 6 single person’s dwellings in next Construction Program. |
Housing is safe and appropriate to the needs of the tenants |
July 2010 |
Agreed & commenced |
|
Housing (lead) LOC |
Housing to assess real demand for single person’s dwellings |
December 2010 |
Future Consideration |
|
|
LOC (lead) Housing |
Facilitate on-going discussions with Housing regarding security screening and seek a funding source for security screens. Preliminary discussions commenced. |
On-going |
Agreed & Commenced. |
|
|
LOC (lead) Housing |
Facilitate discussions with Housing to conduct a feasibility study on the use of power cards within the town area of Halls Creek, including whether it is possible (through Horizon energy) to have power cards and how many people want this service. |
Housing is affordable |
March 2011 |
Agreed & Commenced preliminary discussions |
|
LOC/ROC (lead) Housing, DEEWR East Kimberley CDEP Wunan/Job Futures DTWD (partners) |
Facilitate and co-ordinate discussions for CDEP workers and unemployed to be trained in fencing front yards. Seek funding source for materials and supervisor/trainer. Preliminary discussions with Housing, CDEP and JSAs commenced. |
September 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced preliminary discussions. |
Priority 2: Reconciliation (conflict resolution in all sections of the community)
Aim:
Eliminate structural and institutional racism so that people can feel safe. Conflict resolution between all sections of the community; bring community together as a whole.
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
6.2 – Indigenous children and parents are afforded basic protective security from violence and neglect
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC (lead) DIA Police AJA |
Ensure development of Reconciliation Action Plan, including conflict resolution and mediation to eliminate discrimination, encourage proactive policing as well as encouraging events that bring community together. CURRENT ACTIVITY ROC co-funding PRK Radio to organise Halls Creek Music Festival |
To bring Halls Creek residents together and build a shared pride in Indigenous culture and history. |
Current / Ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced. |
|
ROC (lead) |
Co-ordinate discussions and planning around cross-cultural awareness training in Halls Creek with an aim to introducing cross-cultural awareness for employees in Halls Creek. CURRENT ACTIVITY Preliminary discussions with service providers commenced. |
Ongoing |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
|
LOC (lead) |
Raise community awareness of current avenues for racism complaints through awareness campaign. Investigate options for local avenue for complaints/advocator. |
TBD |
Future Consideration |
|
|
AJA (Lead) LOC & ROC |
Justice Department to investigate potential for Aboriginal Mediation Service to assist the community with conflict management and mediation. |
Break the cycles of violence and assist Indigenous children and families to be safe. Reduce over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system. |
To be negotiated |
Future Consideration |
|
AJA (lead) LOC ROC |
Review of the Aboriginal Justice Agreement with an aim to its successful implementation in the community. Justice department to continue the development and implementation of the AJA Local Justice Agreements in existing AJA locations, as an integrated part of the COAG RSD initiative |
2010 -- 2014 |
Agreed & Commenced |
Priority 3: Bitumen Tanami Road & Duncan Highway
Aim: Ensure the condition of the Tanami Road & Duncan Highway is improved to reduce the incidence of road accidents & wear and tear on vehicles as well as benefiting from improved economic outcomes. Sealing the roads is a very long-term aim, however, there are strategies that can be implemented in the short and medium-term to improve the conditions of the roads and work towards the long-term aim.
Current situation:
- In December 2009 the Shire of Halls Creek undertook an Economic Impact Study for an Upgrade of the Tanami Road. The study found that there were would be significant economic advantages to sealing this road.
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SoHC (lead) LOC AGs HCDHS |
Support Shire in implementing a plan to attract funding to improve the condition of the Tanami Road beginning with the goal of having the road recognised as an important interstate road. CURRENT ACTIVITY Shire has initiated action through an Economic Impact study. |
Significant economic advantages are anticipated through easier access to the town. |
On-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
ROC (lead) LOC SoHC |
Consideration be given to undertaking an impact study for the Duncan Highway. |
On-going |
Future Consideration |
Priority 4: Youth Services
Aim: Improve and increase the number of programs for youth and supply transport service to assist youth to attend activities.
Current situation:
- The Shire of Halls Creek delivers most of the Youth services in the community, although currently Shire only have a duty of care for 12-18 year olds and this duty of care ends at the gate.
- It was noted that there is a gap in services and programs for 5-12 year olds. When the community refer to youth they refer to “young” people, including those under 12, so any resolutions need to take this into account.
- The children find it difficult to get to and from activities.
- The Shire has partnered with FaHCSIA, AGD and HCDHS to improve the quality, quantity and coordination of a range of services and activities for young people in the community (and throughout the Shire) called the East Kimberley Youth Services Network. (under the EK Petrol Sniffing Implementation Plan), which includes funding for coordination of youth services and additional positions. The project has been constrained by lack of housing and lack of a youth services building in which to co-locate providers.
- The chronic staff housing shortage has limited the number of youth workers that can be located in Halls Creek
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
6.1 Alcohol and substance abuse among Indigenous people is addressed
6.2 Indigenous children and parents are afforded basic protective security from violence and neglect
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SoHC (lead) LOC AGD HCDHS DEEWR Youth Connections FaHCIA (Kununurra ICC) |
Facilitate co-ordination of youth services ensuring that community have input into the type of services being offered. Ensure that Shire better communicate “duty of care” regulations for Youth Workers. Support Shire with facilitating resources for youth services into Halls Creek CURRENT ACTIVITY Under Youth Services Network coordination funding has been obtained and Shire is finalising Youth Services Strategy. |
Community members identified the need for better coordination of youth services. |
On-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
LOC (lead) ROC AGs Department SoHC |
Explore ways to include 5-12 year olds in services; including better resources to better deliver services to age cohorts. Explore funding sources for sport and recreation officer. |
Community members noted a gap in services for 5-10 year olds. At 2007 approx. 12% of Indigenous residents in Halls Creek were aged 0-4years. |
On-going |
Future Consideration |
|
LOC (lead) ROC SoHC |
Undertake analysis of under-utilised bus services within the community and seek options for providing transport for youth to attend youth programs. |
Children find it difficult to get to and from activities. |
November 2010 |
Future Consideration |
[ Return to Top Return to Section ]
Attachment A -Table 7
GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP: empowering communities
In December 2007, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a partnership between all levels of Government to work with Indigenous communities to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
A key objective of the subsequent National Partnership agreement on Remote Service Delivery is to “improve the level of governance and leadership within Indigenous communities and Indigenous community organisations”
The general principle adopted in partnership development in Halls Creek has been that the existing Governance structures need strengthening and enhancing and that a framework will be developed and implemented to achieve this.
The National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery provides some $67.7 million for the life of the agreement (2013-2014) for Building Community Governance Capacity (spread amongst the 29 RSD sites)
Halls Creek Context
Halls Creek does not have a strong, co-ordinated governance structure meaning that policy has typically been developed without satisfactory participation by Halls Creek community members. This has resulted in a lack of community acceptance of some programs and services implemented in Halls Creek, causing funds to be misdirected and reduced sustainability of outcomes. The development of a strong governance structure will ensure that Halls Creek community members participate in the design of programs and services and that these services are co-ordinated and targeted to the right people. NGOs and Aboriginal Corporations that operate within the community do have existing governance structures, however, feedback from these organisations indicate that they would also like assistance with strengthening governance within their own organisations.
Halls Creek has a number of strong leaders who are called upon on a regular basis to become involved in community consultation processes. While this core group remain eager to stay involved in such activities, it is important to develop more leaders within the community to widen this group to avoid burn-out. The next level of potential leaders include people who are interested in becoming involved but lack the confidence and skills to do so. This important group of people include women, men and young people.
The major aim of providing support to and improving leadership and governance within Halls Creek is to move from a model of community consultation to one of community decision-making, where community members make decisions on policy, service and programs that affect their daily lives. Through moving to such a model, the mechanisms will be in place whereby policy-makers are expected to engage with community through a strong governance structure that includes the structure that will be developed through this process, which will complement and strengthen the existing structure in the community through NGOs and Aboriginal Corporations.
During the Leadership and Governance solutions workshop held on June 9, 2010 the attendees agreed to a formal governance structure that includes a reference group for each of the eight building blocks. Membership of the reference groups will include a member from each area within the Halls Creek town region as well as one representative from each service provider relevant to the building block. Agreement was also made that one service provider and one community member from each reference group would sit on the Advisory Group. Over time the Halls Creek community has also expressed the desire for elders, Traditional Owners, language groups and representatives from the Stolen Generation to be given more power through a formal governance structure. Most recently this desire was expressed through KALAC and the LOC’s consultations, with suggestions that the Elders Reference Group that existed in the past be re-established. This community desire will also be incorporated into the formal governance structure.
Detailed below are the Leadership and Governance priorities as nominated by the community through workshops, the Halls Creek Community Forum, the household survey and other interviews.
Priority 1: Community Centre
Aim:
Provision of a designated community centre suitable as a meeting/gathering place. This would bring the community together to assist with community cohesion as well as alleviate boredom, which is responsible for many of the problems in the community including alcohol and drug abuse.
Current situation:
Currently there is no formal community gathering place that is run by the community. There are services run by various organisations to include community members, however, these activities are decentralised and there’s a push for them to be more centralised.
Way Forward:
COAG Outcome: 7.1 – Indigenous communities are empowered to participate in policy making and program implementation
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC/ROC (lead) SoHC NGOs Better Life Project |
Engage with community to ascertain what was meant by a community centre and what type of activities they would like offered. Search for suitable venue. CURRENT ACTIVITY Preliminary discussions between LOC & Shire. |
Community members have expressed the desire for a formal, centralised and community-run gathering place. |
August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
LOC/ROC (lead) SoHC NGOs |
Engage with community organisations to see what services they could deliver at a community centre. |
November 2010 |
Future Consideration |
Priority 2: Improved Art & Cultural Focus for Halls Creek
Aim: Provision of a Centre to display, record, teach and preserve local art and culture.
Current situation:
- There is an initiative that involves re-establishing Yarliyil Art Centre in Halls Creek to facilitate best practice production and marketing of Aboriginal art for Halls Creek Aboriginal artists. The initiative is supported by mentoring from the Arts Commercialisation Strategy and funding support partners include DEWHA, Dept Culture and the Arts, Country Arts WA, and Royalties for Regions (Pending). The enterprise will provide significant self employment opportunities for Halls Creek Aboriginal artists and also increase tourist retention in Halls Creek benefiting the entire community. The art centre development is a partnership between Yarliyil Art Centre and the Shire of Halls Creek with support from Kimberley Language and Resource Centre. The Royalties for Regions funding application is pending due to feedback that they would like to see more of a financial commitment from government.
- Currently the Yarliyil Arts Centre does not have the structures in place to auspice its own funds, which means that various organisations hold funds for Yarliyil that they are able to access.
- The Shire has recently employed an Arts Development Officer.
Way forward:
COAG Outcome: 7.1 – Indigenous communities are empowered to participate in policy making and program implementation
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC (lead) KLRC SoHC DEWHA Yarliyil Arts Centre |
Investigate possible funding sources for arts centre building. Ensure organised and co-ordinated approach across agencies and Shire; also ensure that community needs are fulfilled in the design and operation of the centre. Facilitate discussions around building a plan to build the capacity of Yarlyil in arts centre management and marketing. |
Connecting the way government agencies work in remote areas and developing community capacity |
August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
LOC (lead) DEWHA KLRC SoHC Yarliyil Arts Centre |
Facilitate discussions between DEWHA and community to explain the process and expectations in relation to the funding they are providing. CURRENT ACTIVITY Preliminary discussions with DEWHA commenced on issues. |
Indigenous communities are empowered to participate in policy making and program implementation. |
September 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
Priority 3: Cultural Governance & formation and strengthening of formal governance structure for Halls Creek
Aim: Enhancement and development of a more structured and formal governance structure in Halls Creek with representation from elders, traditional owners, language groups, stolen generation, service providers (incl. NGOs and Aboriginal Corporations) and the broader community. Ensure that cultural protocols are taken into consideration and that the process is respected and adhered to.
Current situation:
- Advisory Group that includes service provider and broader community membership
- Halls Creek Community Forum open to all members of the community to attend
- Some reference groups already established for building blocks that include service provider and broader community membership
- Expressed community desire through solutions workshops and KALACC to improve involvement of traditional owners, elders and stolen generation in decision-making
Way Forward:
COAG outcome
7.1 Indigenous communities are empowered to participate in policy making and program implementation
7.2 Indigenous communities are represented through credible consultation/governance mechanisms
7.3 Governments work together effectively in remote areas
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC (lead) |
Establishment of reference groups for each building block. CURRENT ACTIVITY A Reference Groups has been established for Healthy Homes and nominations have been called for Health. |
Indigenous communities are represented through credible governance mechanisms. |
End-August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
KLC (lead) DIA SoHC |
Resolve land issues; including native title, tenure, authority CURRENT ACTIVITY LAC now participates in Land Meetings |
On-going |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
|
KALACC (lead) KLRC KLC ROC SoHC |
Facilitate the establishment of an Elders Reference Group to improve Indigenous law and culture to that meets whenever required as part of the formal process. CURRENT ACTIVITY Preliminary discussions with Elders have taken place by KALACC |
November 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
|
ROC/LOC |
Facilitate a process to bring people together for civic participation and decision-making around service delivery (an agreed way of working together). Strong focus on mediation and conflict resolution CURRENT ACTIVITY Early-stage Governance structure in place, working towards enhancing structure and building capacity. |
December 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
Priority 4: Reconciliation (eliminate discrimination and ensure community members are not excluded from decision-making)
Aim: Eliminate structural and institutional racism so that community members are not excluded from decision-making regarding mainstream programs and services as well as being considered for employment opportunities. Conflict resolution between all sections of the community.
Way Forward
COAG Outcome:
7.1 Indigenous communities are empowered to participate in policy making and program implementation
7.2 Indigenous communities are represented through credible consultation/governance mechanisms
7.3 Governments work together effectively in remote areas
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC (lead) DIA |
Development of Reconciliation Action Plan to eliminate racism and discrimination |
Eliminate structural and institutional racism to ensure community members are included in decisions on mainstream programs and services and considered for employment opportunities. |
March 2011 |
Future Consideration |
|
ROC (lead) |
Co-ordinate discussions and planning around cross-cultural awareness training in Halls Creek (possibly competency-based) CURRENT ACTIVITY Preliminary discussions have been held with possible service providers. |
August 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
|
|
LOC (lead) |
Raise awareness of current avenues for racism complaints. Investigate options for local avenue for complaints/advocator. |
November 2010 |
Future Consideration |
Priority 5: Leadership Development including Youth Leadership Development
Aim: Strengthen leadership and governance structures within community, including strengthening NGOs and Aboriginal Corporations.
Current situation:
- ROC has provided funding for the provision of Governance and Leadership development within Halls Creek.
- SoHC Youth Workers currently undertake leadership activities with girls, including leadership camps.
Way forward:
COAG Outcome:
7.1 Indigenous communities are empowered to participate in policy making and program implementation
7.2 Indigenous communities are represented through credible consultation/governance mechanisms
7.3 Governments work together effectively in remote areas
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ROC (lead) KLC DEEWR KALACC SoHC |
Develop Kimberley-wide leadership training package tailored to local needs with local input into design and content. Package to include training, mentoring and decision-making programs. |
December 2010 |
Future Consideration |
|
|
LOC (lead) |
Engage consultant to undertake governance development with community members in the interim. CURRENT ACTIVITY Quotes sought for a delivery of services using funding available through Leadership & Governance funding pool |
September 2010 |
Agreed & Commenced |
[ Return to Top Return to Section ]
Attachment A - Table 8
Land, Language and Culture
Land, culture and language is extremely important to Indigenous people. It is the basis for life itself. It is important therefore that these three elements be taken into consideration when planning for all services, programs and initiatives for Indigenous people. The loss and destruction of ties with land impinges on health, with the escalating problems of chronic disease manifesting through a shift in lifestyle patterns. Scientists such as Dr Keren O’Dea and others have proven through research and studies that Indigenous Australians are biologically conditioned to consuming foods native to the Australian bush. This means that access to land for traditional food access is essential in the push for improved chronic health status amongst Halls Creek’s Indigenous residents.
The land is sacrosanct to the Indigenous Australians. People traditionally lived on their ancestral grounds, which are small portions of land within a larger land mass peculiar to one language group. These ancestral grounds were passed on over thousands of years, they have special birth places, special burial places, men’s sacred sites and women’s sacred sites which are equivalent to special places of the non-Indigenous such as churches, cemeteries and places of significance like the Opera House and Kings Park.
Community members feel that Australian people in authority have not given the correct measure of respect to the people and their land, and developments and mines have desecrated many homelands and all therein.
Indigenous languages inherently contain traditional ecological knowledge and an understanding of biodiversity and sustainable land management practice. As such, maintaining language is fundamental in the environmental protection and conservation of the landscape, as well as providing the knowledge that supports the sustainable harvest of traditional food which will lead to a healthier Indigenous population.
Language and culture is still of high importance to many and if we do not take steps to preserve the remaining language and culture it will be lost as we have seen in the southern and eastern areas of Australia.
The Kimberley Language Resource Centre is the regional peak body for Aboriginal languages. It has a governing body consisting of representatives from across the region. The administrative base of the organisation is Halls Creek, thus giving the opportunity to bring regional and national perspectives on language and knowledge revival and maintenance to the town.
Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre met with some Elders of Halls Creek 18/05/2010 at the Kimberley Language Resource Centre to discuss the possibilities of a model for an Elders Reference Group for Halls Creek. There will be a further meeting to decide how this model may look and what powers they will have over governance and leadership decisions.
Priority 1: Teaching on Country
Aim: To support the intergenerational transfer of knowledge and language associated with country. Teaching On Country encompasses more than visits to country. While the transfer of this knowledge on country to young children is essential to ensure the continuation of language and knowledge, Teaching On Country also creates opportunities for employment, education and training. It relates to cultural and natural resource management (caring for country) e.g. Ranger Programs. It relates to schooling e.g. language teachers, appropriate English as Second language programs, development of cultural aspects of the curriculum. It relates to economic participation e.g. small business development in tourism, interpreting, cross-cultural training. It relates to health and social and emotional wellbeing e.g. healthy eating, healing on country, integration of traditional and western medicines. It relates to the Bringing Them Home recommendations regarding Stolen Generation families and their return to country. It relates to justice e.g. Yiriman youth diversion programs. It relates to Governance in that it strengthens the leadership of elders and ensures that youth leadership is appropriately supported.
Current situation: The KLRC has a model developed over the last 4 years to support the knowledge transmission aspects of supporting Teaching On Country. They also have a model to assist schools to integrate Aboriginal knowledge into the curriculum. The KLC and DEC have successful Ranger programs in place, but support has not as yet been provided to the immediate Halls Creek area. Yura Yungi has programs which support integrated health initiatives and social and emotional wellbeing, including for the Stolen Generations.
Way forward:
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KLRC (lead), KALACC, KLC, LOC, Shire of Halls Creek, DEEWR, DEWHA, DEC, Halls Creek DHS, Yura Yungi, TAFE, CEO, DoE |
Initial meeting of stakeholders and community is required to establish what aspect of Teaching On Country needs to be prioritised and what existing programs can be strengthened. CURRENT ACTIVITY Commitment by KLRC to coordinate the process with funding to come from another source |
To support the intergenerational transfer of knowledge and language associated with country. | October 2010 | Agreed & Commenced | |
Priority 2: KLC Office located in Halls Creek
Aim: A KLC office located in Halls Creek to provide better services to Halls Creek residents and support Kimberley Stolen Generation with Link-Up.
Current situation:
- Forty percent of the Kimberley Stolen Generation lives in Halls Creek, these people have special needs from the KLC.
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LOC/ROC (co-lead) KLC |
LOC to speak with KLC to determine the process of establishing an office in Halls Creek. Preliminary discussions with the KLC indicate they are open to an office being established in Halls Creek. |
To provide easier access to support for members of the Stolen Generations. | August 2010 | Future Consideration | |
Priority 3: Cross-cultural Awareness Training
Aim: Provision of cross-cultural awareness training for people working within Halls Creek to understand the environment they are working in and the people they are working with.
Current situation:
- Concerns in the Halls Creek Indigenous community around institutional and systematic racism.
- Some organisations to provide such training to staff, however, there is a call for the training to be more wide-spread and include all organisations.
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ROC (lead) LOC |
Seek organisation to deliver cross-cultural awareness training as well as seeking broad community participation in training. | To bring Halls Creek residents together and build a shared pride in Indigenous culture and history. | September 2010 | Agreed future action |
Priority 4 Land matters – including excisions for Stolen Generation and Traditional Owners
Aim: Make use of these parcels of land in a way that meets the wishes of the Stolen Generation and Traditional Owners
Current situation:
- In 2003 the Minister for Land (Alannah MacTiernan) allocated a parcel of land north of Halls Creek for the Moola Bulla Stolen Generation and a parcel of land south of Halls Creek for Traditional Owners. Assistance is now sought to make use of this land.
| Lead and partners | Actions | Rationale | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DIA (lead) ROC/LOC KLC SoHC |
Facilitate discussion with all stakeholders to; a) ensure that the community are aware of how this work is progressing & b) to ensure that community wishes are taken on board for use of land. | To ensure community members are aware of progress and their wishes are considered. | January 2010 | Future Consideration |
Attachment B - Local Implementation plan sign off
We have all had our say in what goes into this Plan. We have talked together at meetings and we have listened to each other.
In the Plan you will see your aspirations for your communities and what we will do together to achieve those aspirations to close the gap.
Community members, Aboriginal Corporations and other representative individuals and groups together with the Commonwealth Government, Western Australia State Government, Local Government and non-government agencies will work together.
The Remote Service Delivery National Partnership Agreement requires a two-way commitment:
- From governments and their staff – to cooperate to put in place the resources and planning for better infrastructure and services and to develop the capacity of individuals, communities and local service providers
- From the community and community members – to work with government to improve the community and to take responsibility for their own wellbeing, in particular the health, safety and education of their children.
Together we will see improved access to a better standard and range of culturally inclusive services, simpler access to coordinated government services, increased economic and social participation, and improved governance and leadership.
By signing this Plan we agree to keep talking with each other to make sure our Plan is achieving the targets we have set and that we will work together to close the gap. We agree that it is not a final Plan but is a ‘living’ document that will change as time goes on.
Attachment C - Halls creek Community Profile
The information contained below was largely collected during 2009 but also relates to earlier points in time (in particular, the 2006 Census).
Background Community Information
People
- The population of Halls Creek in 2006 was estimated to have been 1,335 of whom 1,092 (82%) were Indigenous.
- Nearly 40% of the 2006 Indigenous population was aged under 20 years.
- Assuming that the current fertility and mortality patterns will continue into the future and that there are no significant population movements to or from Halls Creek, the Indigenous population of Halls Creek is projected to grow from 1092 in 2006, by nearly 40% to 1,515 by 2026.
- The Aboriginal people of the Halls Creek area are the Kija and Jaru people.
Geography
- Halls Creek is situated along the Great Northern Highway, on the edges of the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts,
- As well as the main community of Halls Creek, there are 65 Aboriginal communities within the Shire of Halls Creek that may use services located in Halls Creek.
Community Strengths
Language
- Approximately 28 languages are spoken within the shire. The Aboriginal people of the area are the Kija and Jaru people and the main languages spoken are Kriol, Jaru, Kija, Gooniyandi, Walmajarri, Kukatja, Wanyjirra and Ngardi.
Economic development
- The presence of Wunan, an Aboriginal development organisation, has been identified by the Coordinator General as an economic development strength.
- Argyle Diamond Mine is two hours drive from Halls Creek and provides employment opportunities for community members.
Infrastructure and Facilities
- There is a range of recreational and sporting facilities in Halls Creek, including a comprehensive aquatic and recreation complex, basketball courts, a football field, established sporting associations and programs including a football academy, golf course, race course and rodeo grounds.
- The power supply system and roads meet Base Level Standards in Halls Creek
Education
- The percentages of tested students who achieved national minimum standards in NAPLAN tests at Halls Creek District High School were generally similar or higher than the percentages in statistically similar schools, although significantly lower than national averages.
- There is a strong focus on attendance at Halls Creek, with several initiatives beginning to make headway. School attendance at Halls Creek District High School in 2009 was over 65 % for years 1 to 10.
- The Halls Creek Football Academy is a Sporting Chance Program currently working to support the engagement of 55 Indigenous boys in schooling, to improve their education, training, and employment outcomes.
Challenges facing the Community
Employment
- The employment rate in Halls Creek in 2006 was just over 40% of Indigenous people aged 15-64. This is similar to the national Indigenous employment rate of 42%.
- However, if this rate is adjusted so that CDEP positions are not considered as employment, the Indigenous employment rate in 2006 would have been 23 %.
Youth
- The Shire of Halls Creek has the youngest average population and is the fourth fastest growing Shire in Western Australia. The Halls Creek population has a young age profile, with one-fifth of the Halls Creek Indigenous population being aged between 15 and 24 years.
- Attainment of either year 12 or Certificate II or higher post school qualifications by Indigenous 20- to 24-year-olds in Halls Creek was 35 % in 2006, well below the national Indigenous attainment rate of 47 %.
- 18% of Indigenous youth aged 15-24 year olds were engaged in full time study or employment in Halls Creek, compared to the state-wide Indigenous rate of 38 % (2006 census).
- Preventable and avoidable illness rates are high in Halls Creek SLA, at three times the national rate. Unemployment and overcrowding play a significant role in influencing health need and outcomes in Halls Creek.
- Age-standardised rates of hospital separation in Halls Creek SLA were higher for Indigenous people than other Australians nationally, for most principal diagnoses. The greatest disparity was for separations for assault.
- The Indigenous age-specific fertility rate to mothers aged 15-19 in Halls Creek (134.5 per 1,000 women) was nearly 8 times the total Australian population rate (16.9 per 1,000) (2005-2007).
Community Safety
- Assault accounted for 29 % of all offences in 2008-09.
- In the five-year period from 2004-05 to 2008-09, approximately half of all offences were recorded as alcohol-related. This included over 80 % of assault offences.
- Sixty-two % of assault in Halls Creek from 2004–05 to 2008–09 was indicated by Western Australian police to be domestic violence related. This is particularly significant in light of the potential under-reporting of domestic violence-related incidents in the early stages of the reporting period.
- Overall, 87 % of domestic violence–related incident reports were also alcohol related. Domestic violence–related incident reports accounted for 46 % of all alcohol-related violence reports.
- However, the total number of offences recorded in Halls Creek was 867 in 2008-09, representing a decrease of 33 % on the number in the previous year. This decrease likely reflects substantive changes within the community, including the development and implementation of restrictions on alcohol that came into force on 19 May 2009.
Housing
- 50% of Indigenous households in 2006 experienced overcrowding in Halls Creek. This is three times the rate for Indigenous households in Western Australia and nationally.
- In Halls Creek under the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing, 19 new dwellings are being constructed and 38 refurbished this financial year.
Childcare
- The existing childcare facility in Halls Creek is inadequate, with a substantial waiting list.
Potential Issues with Service Delivery
Infrastructure
- The Halls Creek sewerage treatment system is reaching its capacity and is a restraint to further expansion of the town
- Halls Creek is currently experiencing a water shortage due to low bore levels and high levels of consumption
- There is a need for an increase in the number of public phones available
Schooling
- While some school buildings are new, the majority are at least thirty years old. The power and water supply are ineffective. Inadequate air conditioning at the school is also a significant issue in a town where, for much of the year, temperatures are frequently above 40 degrees.
- Of thirty teaching staff, the school has five teachers who have training in English as a second language, yet Kriol is the first language for almost all Indigenous students at Halls Creek.
- Staffing is an important issue impacting on the quality of education provision, and there are challenges in recruiting and sustaining quality teachers in Halls Creek.
- The high priority needs of boys are being addressed by programs such as the Clontarf Football Academy. Funding for the program focused on the needs of girls is required beyond 2010.
Youth Services
- Due to the high percent of the Indigenous population who are young people in Halls Creek, youth services in Halls Creek will need to be maintained and will require further development and resources in the coming decade if they are to meet the needs of the growing youth population.
- There will also be a need to coordinate all services targeted at the youth population, whether those services are funded by health, recreation, arts, justice, education, training or employment.
Health
- More could be done to raise public health awareness in Halls Creek. Though there are a number of Commonwealth and State public health programs, these are uncoordinated and many are not well supported.
Significant new investments
- Through Building the Education Revolution funding, $2.905m has been allocated to Halls Creek District High School for new classrooms and school refurbishment. $0.66m has been allocated to refurbish the Warlawurru Catholic School for a multipurpose hall and general upgrades to the school.
- A Children’s and Family Centre is intended to be operational by 2011 at the Halls Creek District High School. Early childhood services, health and the school are actively involved in the consultation process for the establishment of this facility.