Several construction projects are underway at communities on Groote Eylandt and its neighbouring Bickerton Island.
At Angurugu, ten new homes have been completed and a further three are expected to be handed over. Seven replacement houses and two additional houses are currently in the planning stages. There have been 43 houses upgraded so far and another three homes are currently being renovated.
Contractor GEBIE Civil and Construction has a team of eight working on new builds and renovations. This includes four Angurugu locals who are involved in all aspects of the works including community consultations, site set up, fencing, painting, cleaning, helping with carpentry and block work and assisting tradies and plant operators.
At Umbakumba, on the island’s north east coast, three replacement houses have been built and two new builds are nearing completion. Upgrade works have been completed on 16 homes and an additional 11 houses will be refurbished.
Over the next 12 months, Room to Breathe works will commence on 22 homes at Umbakumba through the Territory Government’s record $1.1 billion investment in remote housing program, Our Community. Our Future. Our Homes.
At Bickerton Island’s Milyakburra, Aminjarrinja Enterprises has recently been awarded a tender to build additional living spaces to 12 houses, also part of the Room to Breathe program which aims to ease overcrowding. The tender was select to Aboriginal Business Enterprises.
Meanwhile, 65 homes in three communities will benefit from fencing works.
Contractor, Aminjarinja Enterprises Aboriginal Corporation, has already completed construction of fences at Groote Eylandt’s Umbakumba and works are in progress at nearby Angurugu and Milyakburra.
Similar contracts have already been completed in Lake Evella, Tara, Lajamanu and Yuendumu.
Source: NT Government