1. The Barkly Shire Council has failed people living in this area - the people living in the Urapuntja/Utopia region are very concerned about the poor, and in some situations, lack of services being provided by the Barkly Shire Council. The Barkly Shire Council was established in July 2008 for financial sustainability and to improve service delivery to people living in regions like Urapuntja/Utopia. This is not happening and there have been numerous meetings between the Urapuntja Board and the Barkly Shire Council, NTG Officers with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Regional Services and letters have been forwarded to the Minister for Local Government (Alison Anderson) and the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory (Adam Giles). People living in this area feel they have lost control of their Homelands and the Barkly Shire Council does not listen to them. All plant and equipment previously owned by the Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation was taken by the Barkly Shire Council and used elsewhere despite promising plant and equipment would be returned to assist in massive clean-up programs on Homelands. People living in this area should have and enjoy the same delivery of services as other communities in the Barkly region.
2. Power and Water has temporarily terminated their contract with the Barkly Shire Council and have arranged for the Administrator with Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation to be responsible for the provision of 240 volt power to Arlparra and neighbouring Homelands including Ampilatwatja community, Ammaroo station, Irrultja and Atnwengerrpe Homelands. The provision of a reliable 240 volt power supply to such a large remote area is paramount.
3. In March 2013, the Federal Government approved $4 million to upgrade houses in the Urapuntja/Utopia region. This funding is to make houses safe by completing basic repairs and maintenance to each house. The funding will also allow for work with the community on energy efficiency programs to help people manage and reduce the cost of power bills. It will also assist people with water management programs. The actual funding will be managed by the Centre for Appropriate Technology. A Steering Committee for the project has been established and is chaired by Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation. The Steering Committee meets monthly. Although this funding is not for the construction of new houses and will not relieve the over-crowding problems, it is a good start to upgrading housing conditions on Homelands.
4. The Federal Government has approved $120,000 (GST exclusive) for an ‘Administrator’ to be appointed to work with the Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation Board. This funding is ongoing for the next three years totalling $360,000.
5. The Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation has applied for biodiversity funding through the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The initiative involves the implementation of a plan to restore native vegetation and biodiversity in this iconic rangeland that has suffered after years of over grazing; extensive damage from uncontrolled feral animal population including wild horses; and uncontrolled and excessive burning.
6. The Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation is developing a 10 year plan for this region. This will become a living document. There is a need for action now. The document will be developed in a timely and culturally appropriate manner with each Homeland having input into it. The plan will include recommendations and the work carried out in previous plans. This includes a plan prepared in 2008 (A Plan for the Future) by Rosalie Kunoth-Monks, Alan Hudson, Richard Trevena and others. A Feasibility Study was prepared in 2010 by Harlequin Business and Training Consultants at the request of Indigenous Business Australia.
