The Goodooga Aboriginal Communities Development Programme was implemented to improve health and living standards, as well as to provide training and employment opportunities to the indigenous community of Goodooga, a remote township in northern New South Wales.
To help meet these objectives, Arup provided a dedicated team of project managers, designers and architects who made the effort to understand the culture and politics of the people and the community. A collaborative approach, consulting and engaging with the community and other stakeholders, was adopted.
Arup oversaw AU$4.18m worth of capital works in the township, including the renovation and extension of existing indigenous housing, associated streetscape improvements, environmental rehabilitation and improved stormwater drainage. Most of these works were undertaken by trainees from the community under the supervision of experienced staff, with the aim of arming trainees with valuable work skills. Some trainees completed trade qualifications during the project and many have since moved into full-time jobs.
While Arup successfully concluded major repair and maintenance, emergency and landscaping works, the most rewarding outcome was to see a community rediscovering its township, taking ownership of, and pride in, its work and individuals gaining full-time employment.
