Local Decision Making - Health and Wellbeing Implementation Plan Signed

16 November 2022

The Community of Groote Eylandt have signed a Health and Wellbeing Implementation Plan that paves the way to improving the delivery of health and wellbeing services in the region.

The signing coincided with the four year anniversary of their Local Decision Making (LDM) agreement and the transfer of the Groote Eylandt Township lease from the Commonwealth to community control.

Developed with the Warnumamalya Health Services Aboriginal Corporation (WHSAC), the Health and Wellbeing Implementation Plan aims to increase involvement, capacity and leadership of Anindilyakwa people in the health and wellbeing sector and support their long term aspirations of transitioning primary health services to community control and responsibility.

Key elements of the Implementation Plan include:

• Establishing a Groote Archipelago Health and Wellbeing Advisory Group to support and increase Anindilyakwa participation in the strategy and planning development for primary health care and related services delivered within the region.
• Appointment of a project officer within the WHSAC to build capacity and form strong partnerships across the sector.
• Progressing the priority areas for health identified by WHSAC including aged care and disability, child health, food security and nutrition, substance abuse and mental health.
• Increasing local service delivery capacity on Groote Eylandt through the planned regionalisation and expansion of health and wellbeing services by NT Health - including progressing negotiations to secure appropriate housing to accommodate health care professionals and implementing strategies and programs to upskill and develop a local Warnindilyakwa workforce.

Since its signing in 2018, significant progress has been made to transition decision-making and services to Anindilyakwa people under the Local Decision Making Agreement.

These achievements will be outlined in a progress report with Anindilyakwa Land Council, which will soon be publicly released soon.

Quotes from Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:

“Four years ago the Groote Archipelago (Anindilyakwa) Local Decision Making Agreement was first signed and we have since seen significant progress in the transfer of decision making and services to the Anindilyakwa people.

“It was great to be in Groote to witness the signing of the Health and Wellbeing Implementation Plan which is another important milestone in their Local Decision Making journey. 

The NT Government is committed to increasing the involvement, capacity and leadership of Anindilyakwa people in the health and wellbeing sector, and support the long term aspiration of transitioning primary health services to Anindilyakwa community control and responsibility.”

Quotes from Member for Arnhem Selena Uibo:

“Local Decision Making is delivering for Aboriginal Territorians by improving services, providing new opportunities for jobs on country and strengthening capacity and leadership.

“As the local member for Arnhem, I am incredibly proud of the hard work that Anindilyakwa leaders have put into the Groote Archipelago Local Decision Making Agreement.

“Under Local Decision Making, Anindilyakwa decision making and actions in housing, economic development, law, justice and rehabilitation and education are well underway.”

Northern Territory Government