Priority Communities

Twenty two Aboriginal communities across NSW have been identified as Priority Communities under the Aboriginal Communities Development Program. This component of the program accounts for approximately 70% of program funding.

These communities are participating in a comprehensive program of capital works, which will include new housing, refurbishing and upgrading of existing housing, and upgrading essential safety infrastructure such as roads, footpaths and street lighting.

An integral aspect of the Aboriginal Communities Development Program is the development and delivery of the Employment and Training Strategy.

Under this strategy;

• a planned 222 apprenticeships or traineeships will be provided throughout the duration of the program in carpentry/joinery and landscaping trades. At this stage, approximately 146 Aboriginal people of various ages have committed to apprenticeships or traineeships

• community-owned building enterprises, operating as the primary contractors for the housing construction and maintenance work, are also being established or are currently operating.