Infrastructure

When Balkanu was established it was well understood that many traditional owners wanted to live on their country.

Balkanu’s building teams delivered many low cost but significant infrastructure projects to achieve this objective. Small teams assisted traditional owner groups to construct new shelters, ablutions and toilet facilities, erect water tank stands and extend existing buildings.

Annual summits also provided an opportunity to improve homelands with infrastructure built to meet the long term needs of traditional owners.

As the model for supporting the Outstation Movement was further developed, Balkanu was able to structure other aspects of its business, such as the digital network, to meet the needs of traditional owners living on their land.

Responsibilities

The Infrastructure unit works closely with Aboriginal families in Cape York to provide assistance in achieving environmentally and economically sound housing options on homelands.
This is achieved by:

• obtaining endorsement from relevant government and non-government agencies
• sourcing volunteer building teams
• organising the supervision of a licensed builder
• establishing links with the construction industry
• equipping families with the necessary skills to carry out on-going maintenance of their homes, and
• implementing and managing contracts with families.

2006 achievements

In 2006 the Low Cost Housing project trialled a reciprocity approach to delivery, combining government funding with a two fold contribution from the family. The reciprocal arrangement requires ‘financial equity’ and ‘sweat equity’: a financial and a labour contribution by the family.

Family groups apply to Balkanu for inclusion in the program. Participants are required to:

• provide a $3,000 deposit
• clear their site for construction
• establish camping facilities at the site to accommodate the building team
• provide three family members to work with the building team for the duration of the building works
• contribute $12,000 in regular repayments over a period of approximately two to three years, and
• carry out all maintenance work to the house.

The reciprocal arrangement reduces the overall cash costs of construction and generates greater responsibility and a sense of ownership by individuals and families.

In 2006 the four pilot houses were built at Binthii and Nugal, both outside of Hope Vale, at Dinner Camp near Pormpuraaw, and at Gamaay, north of Cooktown.

2007 priorities

• Finalise applications to confirm two additional families to participate in the program using the remainder of the original funding.
• Complete promotion and awareness-raising visits to all communities on Cape York.
  Source additional funding to expand the program.
• Identify and engage up to ten families to participate in stage two, once funding is secured.
• Continue the partnership with Rotary and facilitate additional groups of volunteers.
• Develop a broader acceptance of the reciprocity model.