| Purpose
Wallaga Lake is an Indigenous community, based on a former Aboriginal reserve, located near Bermagui in the south-east of New South Wales. The combination of the historical denial of civil rights, dispossession and exclusion from political and economic institutions, distance from the main regional service hubs and cultural differences have constrained the ability of members of the community to access mainstream services.
An analysis of the systems of social service provision concluded that although there were no major gaps in the provision of essential services to the community, the limited resources of members of the community and individual service providers substantially reduced the capacity of each to access the other. Consequently, the agreement is intended to coordinate and consolidate service delivery in the community and improve partnerships between Wallaga Lake Indigenous community and government and non government service providers.
Shared Responsibilities
The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Cth) has agreed to contribute $160,000, including $78,000 towards the cost of employing a Place Based Coordinator for 4 years and $82,000 towards the costs of construction, maintenance and utilities of an Outreach Centre.
The Department of Health and Ageing (Cth) has agreed to contribute $390,000, including $171,000 for the employment of a Place Based Coordinator, $40,000 for the employment of Community Engagement Officer for 1 year, $174,000 towards the costs of construction, maintenance and utilities of an Outreach Centre, and $5,000 for a First Aid Course.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (Cth) has agreed to contribute $150,000, $141,000 towards the cost of employing a Place Based Coordinator and $9,000 towards the operating costs of the Outreach Centre.
The Department of Education, Science and Training (Cth) has agreed to contribute $50,000 towards the cost of employing a Place Based Coordinator.
Wallaga Lake Indigenous Community (through Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council) has agreed to enter into negotiations with Eurobodalla Shire Council to reach a Memorandum of Understanding on the provision of municipal type services and the maintenance of an Outreach Centre. At least two representatives from the community will participate in the Steering Committee. A work crew from the community will participate in the construction and maintenance of the Outreach Centre and landscaping as appropriate.
Performance Indicators
The Place Based Coordinator will prepare quarterly reports on developments in the provision of health, education, employment, family, youth and transport services to members of the community, and the extent to which these services are being utilised. A Steering Committee is to be established to monitor implementation of the agreement with representatives from Wallaga Lake Indigenous Community, Eurobodalla Shire Council, government and non government service providers and the Sydney Indigenous Coordination Centre. The Steering Committee will meet every three months to review progress made in the implementation of the agreement and compile a detailed report of progress on an annual basis. | |
