Construction - Darwin City, Northern Territory, Australia
The Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP) is the largest Indigenous housing program undertaken by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments. This joint $672 million housing program will deliver 750 new houses, 230 rebuilds of existing houses and 2,500 refurbishments across 73 remote Indigenous communities and a number of community living areas (town camps) in the Northern Territory by 2013. Three construction company consortia known as alliances have been engaged to deliver the program. The alliances are working closely with communities and government to deliver better housing for Indigenous Australians in the NT. A target of 20% has been set for Indigenous employment across the program. Alliances are also looking to sub-contract works to and use local companies wherever possible: placing a priority on the use of local Indigenous companies. Community engagement and employment workforce development are given priority along with civil engineering and housing construction outcomes. Better housing: 1. Helps to make families healthier, 2. Strengthens communities, and 3. Enables economic growth through job and training opportunities. Governments & the Alliances will work closely with communities to ensure the best outcomes are achieved for each community. The SIHIP also forms a part of Remote Housing NT, a key reform program to help close the gap of Indigenous disadvantage across the Territory.