Minister for Remote Housing and Homelands
Media Release
Remote homes ready for Easter
1 April 2024
Nine families across the Territory remote communities have moved into their new and upgraded homes ahead of Easter.
The Territory Labor Government continues the work to reduce overcrowding by building and upgrading fit-for-purpose homes in remote communities.
Families in two communities in Arnhem Land - Warruwi (in South Golburn Island) and Galiwinku - as well as in the Big Rivers Region - Rockhole and Binjari communities - have moved into their new or improved homes.
In Warruwi, the last two homes in the community scheduled to receive extensions under the Room to Breathe program are now complete, with homes containing three bedrooms and one bathroom turned into homes with five bedrooms and two bathrooms.
For Gail and her family, who live in a home with three generations of the family together, the works mean her family can continue practicing culture under one roof. Previously, her two teenage sons would often have to stay with other family members as they had to be in different rooms from her daughter to follow cultural boundaries.
In Galiwinku, two families have moved into their new and larger replacement homes, where the family groups are able to remain together.
In Rockhole, a homeland near Katherine, two families are living in their homes that have been upgraded, while an extra bedroom is being added to both homes.
Different to remote communities, in homelands such as Rockhole, the families own the land and homes. As such, the Northern Territory Government supports the decision-making process between land councils and Traditional Owners, but does not make decisions on Aboriginal Land.
In Binjari, a remote community, an uncle and two nieces of the one extended family have moved into a triplex, where they will have their own home and be neighbours with a shared yard so they can have their own space and be close enough to assist each other.
The community has decided to allocate the home to this family to accommodate their needs, as uncle Stuart needs a home with all-access as he gets older, Shania was living in a home that was too big for her family and needed to downsize, and Leandra was living in an overcrowded home with her two children.
Eight new or replacement homes in Binjari have been completed, with nine homes now to receive upgrades and extensions.
Families across the Territory will be living in their new and upgraded homes this Easter, having their own space, kids with their own rooms and no more line ups to shower.
The Labor Territory Government continues to provide fit-for-purpose housing in communities, alleviating overcrowding and enabling families to practice culture in their own homes.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Remote Housing and Homelands Selena Uibo:
"Our Territory Labor Government investment in remote housing and Homelands, partnering with the Labor Federal Government, makes a big difference to remote Territorians.
"Building new homes and extending and renovating existing homes means better outcomes in health, education and employment which is why we have partnered with the Australian Government with a $4 billion investment to improve housing in remote communities and homelands right across the Territory.
"The Territory Labor Government's housing program has driven the most significant changes to remote communities ever seen in the Northern Territory, which complements the success of our Local Decision Making policy in setting a new paradigm for the way we do business in the bush."
Quotes attributable to Member for Arafura Manuel Brown:
"It is great to see the housing upgrades in Warruwi complete, it makes such a difference to the families and the community.
"I have heard great feedback from the community that the works had a quick two-month turn around, and families were able to move back into their homes sooner than expected.
"It is so important for teenagers in families to have their own rooms; growing adults need a culturally appropriate space to live comfortably."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney:
"The Albanese Labor Government is committed to taking concrete actions that improve the lives of Indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory.
"The NT has the highest level of overcrowding in the country which we are working to halve by building up to 270 houses each year.
"This project was delivered with a short two month turn around, meaning families can move in sooner."
Quotes attributable to Warruwi tenant Gail Ngalwungirr:
"The two bedrooms makes a huge difference for my family. It will also provide space for my grandmother who lives in Darwin and comes to visit us often. My children will have their own bedrooms, so they are looking forward to that.
"I have teenage boys, and they are forever hogging the showers. The extra bathroom means we don't have to wait to use the shower.
"My kids used to take off and stay with family just to give my daughter some space because of the cultural boundaries within our community. Now with the extra space they can stay here."
