ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

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Milyakburra 'Community Store and Sporting Facilities' Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA)
Date:	12 April 2006
Sub Category:	Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA)
Place:	Milyakburra, Arnhem Land
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State/Country:	Northern Territory, Australia
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	Milyakburra is located in Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.
Subject Matter:	\| Education \| Employment and Training \| Health and Community Services \| Sports and Physical Recreation \| Youth
Detailed Information:
The Milyakburra 'Community Store and Sporting Facilities' Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA) aimed to address several community priorities including: improvement of community nutrition and working conditions; increasing youth retention on the island and minimizing contact with the criminal justice system by the introduction of youth activities; and increasing school enrolment and attendance. Shared Responsibility Agreements are voluntary agreements between governments and Indigenous communities to provide discretionary funding in return for community obligations. The new arrangements developed from an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments and replace the previous ATSIC system of funding. For more information see 'Shared Responsibility Agreement' below. Purpose In addressing the first priority of community nutrition and working conditions, the SRA aims to improve the infrastructure and operability of the community store with the installation of air conditioning and cooling measures. In addition to the increased food storage capability, the SRA provides for the promotion of a fresh food policy under the direction of a nutritionist. With respect to the priorities of youth retention and enrolment, the SRA recognizes the community's concern with the trend of movement of the young people to another community (the Angurugu Community). This movement has in turn placed pressure on the education system of that community. The SRA makes provision for increasing sport and recreation opportunities through the construction of a BMX track and a basketball court with lights, and the provision of recreational equipment. Shared Responsibilities The SRA provided for funding within the three priorities listed above. Addressing the priority of 'improvement of community nutrition and working conditions', the proposed contributions include $100,000 and In-Kind support for an upgrade of the community store facilities from the Department of Health and Aging (DHA) and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). With respect to the priorities of youth activities and education, the proposed total sum of $90,000 contributed by the Attorney-General's Department, the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) and the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OIPC) will be directed to materials and equipment for building a basketball court and purchasing recreation equipment. The Milyakburra Community Council Incorporated will provide both $10,000 and In-Kind support (including Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) contractors) for the construction of the basketball court and BMX track. The funding of the SRA is subject to the partners entering into a legally binding funding agreement. The Community will be responsible for the production and implementation of a Project Management Plan implementing the SRA. Members of the community will be involved in the management, administration and staffing of the store and the nutritional program, as well as the provision of workers (including CDEP) for the maintenance of community vehicles, and assistance with the construction of the sporting facilities. In addition, the Community will support family and individual responsibilities with respect to school attendance and involvement in school activities. The Community will also build upon its identified strengths under the SRA, and support the move to introduce Opal fuel into the community and the maintenance of 'tidy town' activities. The Community is also seeking involvement and engagement in a wider Groote Eylandt region Regional Partnership Agreement with the Australian Government. Performance Indicators and Key Milestones The implementation and success of the SRA will be assessed quarterly against four main indicators, including: an increase in school enrolment and attendance; increases in sales and proportion of health food from the community store; number of Indigenous community members in trainee or employee positions at the community store; and the use of the sporting facilities and attendance at regular organized activities. These assessments will be made by the Department of Education, Science and Training, the Community Store Manager and the Community Council. Under the SRA , these form part of the 'two-way feedback' comprising quarterly reports to the Nhulunbuy Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC), community meetings and quarterly site visits by the ICC.