Minister for Indigenous Australians
Yolŋu families in Gan Gan Homeland in East Arnhem are benefiting from upgraded homes and community infrastructure, supporting them to remain on Country and stay connected to culture and community.
The Albanese Government, in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, has completed a $4 million housing and infrastructure project in Gan Gan.
Thirteen homes have been upgraded, including kitchen and bathroom refurbishments, electrical and plumbing works, painting and repairs to doors, windows and security screens.
Internal roads throughout Gan Gan, located around three hours’ drive from Nhulunbuy, have also been improved.
The works were delivered through the $220 million Homelands Housing and Infrastructure Program (HHIP), an Australian Government-funded initiative delivered by the NT Government that supports housing upgrades, maintenance and infrastructure works to improve living conditions and essential services in Homelands.
Traditional Owners and community leaders worked alongside the NT Government, Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation and All About Building Services to deliver the project.
Five Gan Gan residents employed through the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) Program were also involved in the upgrades, helping ensure local jobs in delivering improvements in their community.
The HHIP is delivered in close collaboration with Land Councils and local communities to ensure housing and infrastructure improvements reflect the needs and priorities of residents.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The Albanese Government is committed to working in partnership to improve housing and infrastructure in Homelands and remote communities across the Northern Territory, in line with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
“The Homelands Housing and Infrastructure Program is a significant investment by our government to support families living on Country in Homelands across the Territory.
“These upgrades to homes and community infrastructure in Gan Gan Homeland will support Yolŋu families on Country.”
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Remote Communities, Marion Scrymgour:
“Homelands are so important to the Territory and an essential piece of our social fabric.
“The HHIP program has been focused on making sure that houses are up to standard for residents who live remotely and has been employing local people in the process.
“These upgrades are the kind of on the ground delivery that will make a real difference for the residents of Gan Gan.”
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Minister for Housing, Steve Edgington:
“We are delivering practical improvements that make a real difference to Aboriginal Territorians living on homelands.
“Upgrading housing and infrastructure in Gan Gan is about improving quality of life today while building stronger, more sustainable communities for the future.
“These upgrades have delivered a double benefit – better infrastructure for the community and local jobs for people helping improve their own homeland.”
Quotes attributable to Northern Land Council Chair, Matthew Ryan:
“We welcome the much-needed works at Gan Gan and acknowledge Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation for their work delivering these upgrades for local families.
“Safe housing is a human right. Our people want to live and raise their families on their own Country. Living on homelands allows families to keep culture and language strong and pass that knowledge on to future generations. They deserve safe homes with reliable water, power and enough room for their families to do that.
“But overcrowding doesn’t stop at remote communities. Families on homelands face the same pressures, and Traditional Owners have been calling for new homes on Country for decades.
“Our people should be supported to stay on Country or return home, not left waiting another generation.”
Quotes attributable to Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson, Yananymul Mununggurr:
“These upgrades have made a real difference in the quality of living for families in Gäṉgaṉ.
“This project also created local education and employment opportunities for Yolŋu in homeland.
“Good housing supports better health and wellbeing outcomes, which ultimately leads to people continuing to live in their homeland with dignity.
“We thank the governments for their investment through the HHIP Program. While there is still a critical need for further housing upgrades and new homes across Gäṉgaṉ and other Laynhapuy homelands, this project is a much welcomed positive and important step forward for the region.”
Quotes attributable to Yolŋu Elder Brian Gumana:
“These upgrades will help families continue living together on Country and support the passing down of cultural knowledge, language, songs and artistic traditions to younger generations.”
