The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have made a joint commitment to make fundamental and lasting improvement to the lives and opportunities of the residents of the Alice Springs town camps, and for homeless Aboriginal people and visitors in Alice Springs.
The Alice Springs Transformation Plan (ASTP), announced on 2 May 2009, aims to improve life outcomes for Aboriginal residents and visitors in Alice Springs and to reduce homelessness through housing and infrastructure upgrades and expanded support services.
Governments are working in partnership with the corporate and community sectors, particularly Aboriginal organisations, to achieve the transformation and deliver sustainable improvements in service delivery.
The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have established an Alice Springs Transformation Plan Joint Steering Committee (JSC) to oversee the implementation of the ASTP.
The ASTP includes funding of:
The three broad strategies of the ASTP are:
- Deal with Social Issues
The ASTP is identifying gaps in service delivery and working to strengthen social support services in the community.
Services in areas such as alcohol rehabilitation, family support, family violence and early childhood will be expanded.
With the transition to ‘mainstream’ tenancy arrangements, residents will be supported through good neighbour agreement initiatives, life skills training and intensive case management.
A new Communities for Children site is being established in Alice Springs to provide intensive early intervention programs to vulnerable families, with children aged from newborn to 12 years. The project will use a community development approach to improving outcomes for children. It will run in collaboration with the community and local service providers to develop and implement services specifically tailored to the needs of vulnerable children and their families. The site will start operating before the end of 2009.
- Transform Town Camps
The Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP) is working toward substantially improving housing and other infrastructure in town camps to create a safer and healthier environment for families and children.
- Reduce Homelessness
There is a focus on reducing homelessness through better coordination of services and the creation of additional facilities.
The ASTP will:
- establish managed short-term accommodation for Aboriginal people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or visiting Alice Springs, and
- establish transitional accommodation for people waiting to access public housing.
ASTP Joint Steering Committee
The Australian Government Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Northern Territory Chief Minister established a Joint Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of the plan.
The JSC also includes: Alice Springs Town Council, Tangentyere Council and Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation.
The committee meets once a month to provide strategic advice on the design, development and implementation of the plan.
Key Contacts
If you have any questions or want more information on the ASTP contact:
Mark Coffey, Executive Director
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Phone: (08) 8959 4231
Karla Foster, Government Business Manager
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Phone: (08) 8959 4279