Ingkerreke Services Aboriginal Corporation signs Local Decision Making agreement with NT government

Dechlan Brennan Published August 7, 2024 at 8.30am (AWST)

self-determination

Ingkerreke Services Aboriginal Corporation works on enabling sustainable living on Homelands. (Image: Ingkerreke Services)

Ingkerreke Services Aboriginal Corporation has signed a Local Decision Making Agreement with the NT government, celebrated with a cake cutting ceremony featuring Chief Minister Eva Lawler.

Signed last week in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, the deal will formally recognise the organisation as a representative body for the 12 founding homelands whose Traditional Owners established the organisation in 1985.

All 12 of the homelands now represented by Ingkerreke were formed after the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976 came into effect, with the law enabling Indigenous people to claim rights for unalienated crown land providing they can prove cultural or traditional connection to it.

In the annual newsletter, chief executive Jozan Collins thanked the directors and the NT government stakeholders for their hard work.

Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Eva Lawler (centre) joined Ingkerreke directors Amelia Turner and Evert Tomlins and Ingkerreke CEO Jozan Collins at the recent signing. (Image: Ingkerreke Services)

"We look forward to the implementation of the agreement and working more closely with the government to produce the best possible outcome for Homelands' residents," she said.

The Local Decision Making (LDM) agreement will further Ingkerreke's goal to be able to share authority and help inform policy, programs and services in the homelands they represent, with the announcement being an important step towards self-determination and building a sustainable future for the area.

Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory (AHNT) said: "We know that when service delivery is in Aboriginal hands, there are improved outcomes for our communities."

Ingkerreke focuses on the provision of housing, municipal and essential services to more than 57 homelands and 281 properties across Central Australia.

The Local Decision Making Agreement was signed last month. (Image: supplied)

The 12 founding member homelands were Yamba-Mpweringe (Burt Creek), Aulperenge (Corkwood Bore), Alkupitja (Gillen Bore), Were-Therre (Hamilton Downs), Artekerre (Harry Creek), Aluralkwe (Little Well), Undoolya (Mount Undoolya), Arnapipe (Sandy Bore), Athenge-Lhere (16 Mile), Akngwirrweltye (Snake Well), Pwayne (Williams Well), and Apmwerre (Blacktank Bore).

AHNT chief executive Skye Thompson said the LDM was a massive achievement.

"It's a testament to Ingkerreke's cultural authority and to the collective strength of its team-members in delivering high-quality services, better infrastructure and job opportunities to Aboriginal people in Alice Springs," Ms Thompson said.