HUNDREDS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES TO GET FUNDING FOR WATER ACCESS AND JOBS

Credit: Patricia Tagabe

The Albanese government announced 425 million dollar funding for Closing the Gap with 150 million dedicated to water safety for remote Indigenous communities.

Executive Director of the Water Services Association of Australia Adam Lovell said that approximately 500 Indigenous communities do not have access to clean, safe drinking water.

‘‘It’s time to act. there are hundreds of communities that don’t have access to clean safe drinking water,’’ he said.

Mr Lovell said that this funding is an opportunity for Indigenous communities to become more self-sufficient and can create jobs.

“It creates more opportunities for First Nations businesses to almost run a complete installation program,” he said.

“What would a local community like to see from its water system, would it like to have an orchard, would it like to have a garden or a swimming pool.

“We believe there are many opportunities to grow skills and capabilities and capacity within communities and First Nation businesses.”

Mr Lovell said that whilst this is a step in the right direction, more money is needed to have water safety across Indigenous communities.

‘‘In November in Parliament House, we estimated across the country the job would be about 2.2 billion dollars,’’ he said.

“So 150 million is wonderful, it is a step in the right direction and after many years of nothing to have this money put on the table is really fantastic.”