Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What is the ACDP?
A: The Aboriginal Communities Development Program (ACDP) was announced by the NSW government in 1998 and focuses on achieving improvements in environmental health for selected, priority Aboriginal communities. The purpose of the ACDP is to provide funding to Aboriginal communities to provide new housing, repair, renovate or replace existing housing stock and upgrade or replace existing outdated water and sewerage systems or other essential infrastructure.
Q: Why is the ACDP necessary?
A: The provision, upgrade and maintenance of basic essential services such as water, sewerage, healthy housing and other environmental services are crucial to a healthy living environment.
The Department of Land and Water Conservation estimates that there are 10,000 Aboriginal people living in communities remote from country towns. Of this number, about 3,000 are estimated to have water supply and sewerage facilities provided from the nearest country town, leaving about 7,000 in as many as 200 communities without town water supply and sewerage facilities.
The Department of Aboriginal Affairs works together with the Department of Land and Water Conservation and local councils to ensure that these needs are being addressed through the Water and Sewerage component of the ACDP.
Adequate housing is an important part of any community. In NSW it is estimated that only 34% of Aboriginal people own or are purchasing their own home, compared with 70% of the total Australian population. With a growing and young population, the housing needs of Aboriginal people will only be met by a substantial and ongoing commitment and partnership approach by State and Federal governments and Aboriginal organisations to upgrade and increase available housing stock and sustain it as a neccessary component of social housing in NSW.
Q: Why don't all Aboriginal communities in NSW receive ACDP funding?
A: The ACDP operates in communities where major environmental health needs have been identified.
Concentrating funds and effort on those communities in most need means that real change can happen. Spreading limited resources across a broad area results in a "band aid" approach which does not create sustainable, community-driven solutions.
Q: How are communities selected for the ACDP?
A number of indicators of needs are used to assess priority for the ACDP, using a survey developed between ATSIC, for its National Aboriginal Housing Strategy (NAHS), and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Q: What are Community Working Parties?
A: In each community in which the ACDP operates, a Community Working Party is established to represent the views of the whole community and co-ordinate the delivery of the ACDP.
The Community Working Party is comprised of a cross-section of individuals, representatives of community organisations and key representative bodies such as ATSIC Regional Councils and the local Aboriginal Land Council.The community may elect other agencies to the CWP.
At the local level, Community Working Parties provide a culturally appropriate mechanism for decision-making about the ACDP and implementation of the defined scope of works in a community.
Community Working Parties represent all of the views of the community, including the interests and needs of specific target groups such as women, seniors, young people and children.
Community Working Parties are an essential part of the ACDP. By actively involving communities in decision making and project management, the work undertaken will meet community needs and be sustainable into the future.
Q: What employment and training opportunities are there for Aboriginal people under the ACDP?
A: Apprenticeships and traineeships in building trades, landscaping and office administration are available. Click here for more information.
Q: How can I get information about what is happening in each community?
A: By clicking on the map, you can get an update on the progress of the ACDP in each community.
Further information can be obtained by calling the Department of Aboriginal Affairs on (02) 9219 0700, or email enquiries@daa.nsw.gov.au
