Major homelands project gets green light
After years of planning, homelands across the Northern Territory are one step closer to seeing critical infrastructure improvements. With $120 million in new funding and all regional work plans approved, the Homelands Housing and Infrastructure Program (HHIP) is moving from planning to delivery.
What’s happening?
Selected homelands have now been officially approved for funding under the ‘Restoring Funding for Northern Territory Homelands’ Federal Funding Agreement 2024-27’ (FFA), including an additional $120 million secured for the program. The agreement provides funding for critical housing and infrastructure upgrades.
These projects are part of the HHIP, which aims to improve essential services and infrastructure in priority remote homelands.
Who decides which homelands get funding?
The Joint Steering Committee (JSC) is the key decision-making forum for monitoring the outcomes of the National Partnership for Remote Housing NT, which this program is part of. While HHIP is managed by our department, decisions about which homelands are selected, and how the projects are implemented, are made by the Land Councils and the JSC.
The JSC includes representatives from:
- Central Land Council (CLC)
- Tiwi Land Council (TLC)
- Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC)
- Northern Land Council (NLC)
- Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory (AHNT)
- Australian Government
- Northern Territory Government.
How were the projects planned?
Each Aboriginal Land Council in the committee developed a Regional Work Plan in line with the FFA requirements, which include:
- Its commitment to homelands within its jurisdiction
- Funding allocations for its selected homelands across the 3-year period
- Priority projects for infrastructure development
- Investment principles and long-term goals.
What stage are we at now?
On 28 March 2025, the JSC met to approve the final outstanding Regional Work Plan, submitted by the Northern Land Council. With this approval, all plans are now in place. Read the regional work plans.
We are now developing the grant approach to engage service providers to deliver the on-ground works.
What did the Northern Land Council say?
The Northern Land Council (NLC) said it welcomes the JSC’s recent endorsement of its Homelands Housing and Infrastructure Program Regional Work Plan.
‘While it is widely known that all homelands across the Northern Territory are in desperate need for significant upgrades, repairs and maintenance, the NLC’s recently established Housing and Homelands Committee considered applications from across our seven regions.’
‘The task of prioritising homelands to receive funding under the HHIP was challenging knowing that all homelands deserve upgrades, however the process of considering needs against the guiding principles resulted in over 50 homelands in the NLC region being included in the work plan.’
‘With endorsement of the Regional Work Plan, we can now look forward to seeing the funds roll out across the regions, making a difference to people’s lives by ensuring they have safe and secure housing on country’.
We look forward to sharing more in the coming months about the selected homelands, the planned infrastructure projects, and the opportunities these projects will bring – including meaningful job opportunities for remote Aboriginal communities and growth for local businesses.
To learn more about this program, visit the Homelands Housing and Infrastructure Program (HHIP).
