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Alice Springs camps services contract 'should stay in Aboriginal hands' Alice Springs camps services contract 'should stay in Aboriginal hands'
(7 months later)
Protesters have called on the Northern Territory government to reverse its decision to give a contract for tenancy services in Alice Springs Aboriginal town camps to a private company instead of renewing a deal with an Aboriginal-owned organisation.Protesters have called on the Northern Territory government to reverse its decision to give a contract for tenancy services in Alice Springs Aboriginal town camps to a private company instead of renewing a deal with an Aboriginal-owned organisation.
The camps that surround the central Australian town were leased to the federal government in 2009 in return for $150m in social services and public housing. It was the result of intense negotiations after the federal government sought to “normalise” the camps, which had seen high levels of violence and poverty.The camps that surround the central Australian town were leased to the federal government in 2009 in return for $150m in social services and public housing. It was the result of intense negotiations after the federal government sought to “normalise” the camps, which had seen high levels of violence and poverty.
The Central Australian Affordable Housing Company (CAAHC) has since managed the tenancy services but last week it was revealed their contract had not been renewed, the tender awarded to Zodiac Business Services for $702,000. The decision prompted a rally on Wednesday, protesting against the change.The Central Australian Affordable Housing Company (CAAHC) has since managed the tenancy services but last week it was revealed their contract had not been renewed, the tender awarded to Zodiac Business Services for $702,000. The decision prompted a rally on Wednesday, protesting against the change.
Related: 'When will they listen to us?' Town camps on the fringe of Alice, but at the heart of Indigenous debate
Walter Shaw, chief executive of Tangentyere council, the body representing the town camps and which ran tenancy services prior to the lease, said the decision went against the NT government’s commitment to grow Indigenous businesses. He warned of increased homelessness and overcrowding if the new service providers did only “the bare minimum”.Walter Shaw, chief executive of Tangentyere council, the body representing the town camps and which ran tenancy services prior to the lease, said the decision went against the NT government’s commitment to grow Indigenous businesses. He warned of increased homelessness and overcrowding if the new service providers did only “the bare minimum”.
Last year CAAHC, which acted as a medium between tenants and government, complained the NT government’s public housing body, Territory Housing, was failing its obligations to ensure tenants lived in safe and hygienic conditions.Last year CAAHC, which acted as a medium between tenants and government, complained the NT government’s public housing body, Territory Housing, was failing its obligations to ensure tenants lived in safe and hygienic conditions.
CAAHC chief executive, Sally Langton, told Guardian Australia response times and repairs were “completely disgraceful” and the relationship between CAAHC and the department was “mired in red tape”.CAAHC chief executive, Sally Langton, told Guardian Australia response times and repairs were “completely disgraceful” and the relationship between CAAHC and the department was “mired in red tape”.
However, CAAHC had good relationships with town campers and had pushed for services on their behalf during their tenure, said Shaw.However, CAAHC had good relationships with town campers and had pushed for services on their behalf during their tenure, said Shaw.
“Town campers are concerned this will lead to even longer waiting times for repairs and more people being made homeless because of bureaucratic inaction. We already wait months for repairs and many properties are unsafe, even with CAAHC in there advocating. We are very concerned this is only going to get much worse,” he said.“Town campers are concerned this will lead to even longer waiting times for repairs and more people being made homeless because of bureaucratic inaction. We already wait months for repairs and many properties are unsafe, even with CAAHC in there advocating. We are very concerned this is only going to get much worse,” he said.
“We called for a housing system that would put Aboriginal people back in control of the design, construction and management of Aboriginal housing – exactly what CAAHC was set up to do in Alice Springs.”“We called for a housing system that would put Aboriginal people back in control of the design, construction and management of Aboriginal housing – exactly what CAAHC was set up to do in Alice Springs.”
Tangentyere council’s construction arm was awarded the tender for property management of the camp housing. The contract is worth more than $750,000 over 16 months.Tangentyere council’s construction arm was awarded the tender for property management of the camp housing. The contract is worth more than $750,000 over 16 months.
“I expect to see repairs and maintenance in Alice Springs town camps improve now that Tangentyere is responsible for the property management,” said NT chief minister, Adam Giles.“I expect to see repairs and maintenance in Alice Springs town camps improve now that Tangentyere is responsible for the property management,” said NT chief minister, Adam Giles.
“The Department of Housing conducted an open tender process in accordance with the procurement directions and best practice guidelines. I am pleased an Aboriginal organisation was able to win this tender.“The Department of Housing conducted an open tender process in accordance with the procurement directions and best practice guidelines. I am pleased an Aboriginal organisation was able to win this tender.
“[It was] the same process that led to local business Zodiac Business Services winning the tenancy management tender.”“[It was] the same process that led to local business Zodiac Business Services winning the tenancy management tender.”
Giles said Zodiac Business Services was an experienced local business and had an Indigenous employment rate of more than 50%. Zodiac Business Services declined to comment.Giles said Zodiac Business Services was an experienced local business and had an Indigenous employment rate of more than 50%. Zodiac Business Services declined to comment.
A spokeswoman for the NT housing minister, Bess Price, told Guardian Australia the tender was the result of a “fair and equitable” process.A spokeswoman for the NT housing minister, Bess Price, told Guardian Australia the tender was the result of a “fair and equitable” process.
“As is standard NT government procurement policy, the tender submission had to demonstrate that Indigenous employment requirements would be met, and the successful tenderer was able to demonstrate this, therefore local Indigenous employment will be provided,” she said.“As is standard NT government procurement policy, the tender submission had to demonstrate that Indigenous employment requirements would be met, and the successful tenderer was able to demonstrate this, therefore local Indigenous employment will be provided,” she said.
“The CAAHC has written to me about their concerns and I will consider their points. However, I will not interfere with the proper awarding of a contract to another local business which also has Indigenous employment.”“The CAAHC has written to me about their concerns and I will consider their points. However, I will not interfere with the proper awarding of a contract to another local business which also has Indigenous employment.”