Keogh Bay Senior Consultant, Ben Laidlaw facilitating introductory local decision-making discussions with Kardu Alliance Member Corporations in Wadeye

Community Organisations, Local Government, the NT Government and the Australian Government all have key roles to play in working together to support the future development of Aboriginal communities.  This role includes the delivery of essential community services, maximising social and economic opportunities for all community members and creating a positive legacy for future generations.

During the 2016 elections the Labour Government of the Northern Territory committed to working with communities to provide greater local decision-making responsibilities and control over decisions impacting service delivery and other social and economic areas within the context of their community.

During 2017 & 2018, Keogh Bay has been engaged by the NT Government (Department of the Chief Minister) to facilitate the engagement processes between Government and individual Corporations for the establishment of local decision-making frameworks and implementation plans in several communities, including Yugul Mangi Aboriginal Corporation (Ngukurr), Alawa Aboriginal Corporation (Minyerri), Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation (Kalkaringi) and Kardu Alliance (Wadeye).

The engagement processes included the following key activities:

• Initial consultation with Aboriginal Corporations and individual Government agencies;
• Preparation of Summary Consultation Reports identifying common themes, priorities and opportunities;
• Facilitation of joint LDM Workshops bringing together Corporation and Government representatives to discuss and agree LDM priorities and develop supporting action plans;
• Establishment of LDM Guiding Principles Agreements for all parties and overarching governance arrangements to support implementation, review and updating of LDM future plans.

In addition to the above, Keogh Bay were also engaged to jointly facilitate introductory local decision-making discussions with East Arnhem community, service provider and Government stakeholders.