PHOTO: Community members and staff of Coonamble LALC and Murdi Paaki Services, plus Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly Chairperson (back row, far right) gathered at Coonamble Bowling Club last week to discuss Aboriginal housing.
LOCAL Aboriginal community members were invited to join in a discussion about housing and social services when Murdi Paaki Services hosted sessions in Coonamble and Gulargambone last week.
The open discussions, held on Friday 22 October in the morning at Coonamble Bowling Club and in the afternoon at two eight two eight Gulargambone are part of a region-wide push to prepare a Housing and Environmental Health Plan for each community.
The aim is to assess the current situation in relation to housing Aboriginal individuals and families, and enable all organisations involved to plan for future development.
In attendance at the sessions were Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly Chairperson Des Jones and CEO of Murdi Paaki Services Ken Clarke, as well as a number of staff from the TSEP (Tenant Support & Education Program).
Among them was brand new TSEP worker Taryne Albert who took up the role on Monday 11 October and is responsible for Coonamble, Gular, Walgett and Brewarrina.
There are a number of Aboriginal housing providers in Coonamble and Gular, including the Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Aboriginal Housing Office and Murdi Paaki Services.
One of the first matters raised by local people was to ask why housing managed by Coonamble Local Aboriginal Land Council missed out on recent rounds of funding to install solar power and energy efficient fittings that was currently being rolled out in a major way around the region.
Housing Manager Damien (Munro) Martin told the Murdi Paaki representatives that their application had been rejected and that “it looks like there’s every chance we will miss out again.”
“We don’t want our tenants to miss out,” Mr Martin said.
He was assured that MPS would take up the matter in their negotiations with the Aboriginal Housing Organisation.
The meeting was told that the current stock of Aboriginal housing varies in condition upgraded around seven years ago and the LALC due to complete works to their properties which should have them “back to an excellent standard” by June 2022.
Some issues were identified in houses where chimneys had been removed or roofed over in preparation for the installation of solar panels.
Overall, a need for housing suitable for young women, especially those with children, was emphasised.
The shortage of rental properties across the board in Coonamble and Gular was also identified as a major challenge for many people.
“Non-Aboriginal people can’t even get private rentals, let alone Aboriginal people,” one person said.
“We don’t see homelessness with people on the street but overcrowding is a big issue,” said Coonamble LALC Chairperson Allan Albert. “You see three or four families living under one roof.”
“We need one or two bedroom houses for the younger girls,” he said. “The girls need somewhere safe in Coonamble to live with their families.”
A shortage of housing suitable for people with disabilities or the frail aged was also raised.
“We have only two units adapted for people with disabilities,” Mr Martin said.
“There’s definitely a shortage of that type of housing.”
There was a call for local people to be involved in the design of the housing provided with the possibility of including verandahs, awnings on windows, granny flats and bigger living areas.
“The living areas in a three bedroom and a six bedroom home are the same size,” Mr Martin said. “This is something that really should be looked at.”
“They’re building stuff and we don’t kow what it is until they give us the keys when it’s finished,” Mr Albert said.
It was also suggested that extra large residential blocks could easily be subdivided, not only providing extra housing but also making yard maintenance more achievable.
Environmental infrastructure was also considered, including items such as kerb and guttering, drainage, sewage and dust, while bats and pigeons were flagged as public health risks to be looked at.
Community members called for a regular council pick-up of larger items.
“A lot of people don’t have a car,” Mr Martin said. “They can’t take things to the tip.”
An emphasis on enabling more home ownership was raised as a priority.
“We need more accessible pathways for Indigenous people to own their own homes,” he said. “A lot of people here are working and have the capacity to pay off a mortgage and at the moment it would be cheaper than rental with interest rates the way they are.”
“But most people don’t have the confidence to take that step and while social housing is good, the ultimate pathway is owning your own home.”
“There are opportunities but a lot of people don’t know about it and with support a lot of people could be paying off their homes,” Mr Martin said.
It was agreed that Indigenous lending body Indigenous Business Australia be invited out to speak to local residents and attend a Community Working Party meeting.
The Murdi Paaki team have sixteen Housing and Environmental Health Plans to complete before the end of November, so the race is on.
We will put together a draft management plan and incorporate your comments, and we will bring the plan back for your endorsement” Mr Clark said.
“The main point is to get it right for your community and make sure your needs and aspirations are met.”
Ms Albert said that the Gulargambone meeting saw comments “very similar to Coonamble” with a need for more houses in general for their community.
“They said a lot are old and need to be replaced,” she said.