Remote Local Decision Making Agreement strengthens community development

Cultural leaders from a cluster of communities and homelands across the Ngurratjuta Region have today signed the first Local Decision Making (LDM) Agreement.

Stage 1 focused on pathways for the community led development and economic boost for Papunya, Haasts Bluff and Mt Liebig and surrounding homelands.

Stage 2 of the LDM will expand further across the Region later this year and will include Areyonga, Wallace Rockhole, Hermannsburg, Watarrka and surrounding homelands.

This agreement will initiate community control in a 10-year plan for projects based on each community's priorities, needs and aspirations, that support:

• training and pathways
• housing development and management
• community safety
• family services and
• education which.

This is the first recognition of Ngurratjuta as the voice of the region, with 10 cultural leaders from the Ntaria (Hermannsburg), Haasts Bluff, Papunya, Mount Liebig and Wallace Rockhole communities and outstations as the lead point of contact for decision-making.

The LDM supports a partnership with NT Police to work towards a Mutual Recognition Agreement with Mt Liebig, Haasts Bluff and Papunya as well as working to implement a Justice Reinvestment Program across three communities in partnership with the Commonwealth Attorney General's department.

Initiatives on the table that are currently being worked through under this Agreement, are opportunities for:

• community housing management, tenancy, maintenance and development
• municipal and essential services
• education initiatives for 2-way learning pathways and
• employment of language speaking staff in schools.