Willowra Attains ABA Funding
Indigenous Business Incubator client the Central Land Council (CLC) has successfully attained $2,602,374 through the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA) to contruct an early childhood and learning community centre in the Northern Territory community of Willowra.
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin announced on the 19th November that $2,602,374 had been granted for construction of an early childhood centre and accommodation for staff and visitors at Willowra.
CLC Director David Ross said that these funds supplemented the investments already put in by the communities.
“The Willowra Early Childhood and Learning Centre is a critical project that has very strong community support," he said.
“Willowra has suffered a disgraceful level of government neglect and has virtually nothing in terms of infrastructure despite being home to 300 people.
“Through the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust (WETT), Warlpiri traditional owners committed $660,000 of their mining royalties to building a centre but needed more to get the project up and running.
“WETT already pays for World Vision to run early childhood programs on Warlpiri lands and their commitment of further funds and the $2,602,374 from the ABA will enable the Willowra project to go ahead.
Consultants from the Darebin Enterprise Centre Ltd. through the Indigenous Business Incubator prepared the Feasiblity Study for the Willowra Early Childhood Centre to support the application for ABA funding. For more information on the services offered by the Indigenous Business Incubator click here.
