Central Desert Regional Council will review how it can deliver services to its remote Indigenous communities as it comes to grips with the Commonwealth's Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) funding offer.

Over fifty percent of the Council's community services are currently funded by the Federal Government. The provisional advice from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is that we will receive funding in most areas but generally not enough to meet the real cost of service delivery. "Planning in this environment is almost impossible" CEO Cathryn Hutton advised. "Now that the first details of the funding have been released, the Council can at least start to consider what services it can continue to provide. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has once again provided short term funding extensions which provides no relief from uncertainty regarding the long-term future of these programs".

Whilst the Council is likely to continue delivering a range of services across the Central Desert region, the Federal Government has missed the opportunity to address funding short falls and recognise the importance of these programs in addressing the governments Closing the Gap priorities.

Council is concerned that the very programs that underpin the government's focus on kids in school, adults in jobs and safe communities are being undermined by the new IAS funding. The Council estimated a need for $1.5 million to deliver comprehensive youth services to its communities. The Commonwealth has offered $375,000. The Council's successful School Nutrition Program, which last year delivered over sixty thousand meals, has had a 20% reduction in funding. The successful Yuendumu Mediation and Justice program has been reduced to 2011 funding levels despite a cost benefit analysis indicating that the Program will save the tax payer $4 for every $1 invested over the coming decade. The Willowra Mediation and Justice program, modelled on the neighbouring Yuendumu intervention, received no funding at all despite the ongoing volatility in the community.

President Adrian Dixon said that "whilst we are very grateful to the Federal Government for supporting our funding submission when so many missed out, we are disappointed that the government continues to provide inadequate and short term funding offers".

"Adequate, secure funding is critical to providing quality services and addressing Indigenous disadvantage" he said. "Any reduction in funding directly affects our communities and continues to broaden the gap." Mr Dixon said.

The Willowra Local Authority nominations are now open. They will be open until 9:00am, 20 March, 2015. For more information please see your Community Services Manager.

Local Authorities 

Local Authority members will be a link between their community and the Central Desert Regional Council. Community members and anyone living in or around the community can nominate to be a Local Authority member. The previous members of Local Boards are encouraged to nominate to be Local Authority members. 

The introduction of Local Authorities is an opportunity to establish a good group of people to speak up for their community. 

Local Authorities need to be representative of key groups within their area by including people who are committed to attend and participate in meetings for the benefit of residents and community members. 

Local Authorities

• Required under legislation with compliance guidelines on their functions
• Will receive a meeting allowance
• Will make recommendations to Council about money spent  in their community. Council will decide on how money is spent.
• Minimum of six meetings per year

Nominations for Local Authority members will be open for 28 days.  Please see the Community Service Manager for more information or nominations.

Download a nomination form here…..