The Western Sydney Aboriginal Regional Alliance (WSARA) is currently considering how to present to the NSW Government the priority of issues important to the Aboriginal communities within the Western Sydney region (Penrith and Blacktown LGAs).
The following list of community priorities has been prepared for WSARA by CO2 Consulting in September 2021 based on community consultations conducted by various government agencies and others spanning a period from 2009 to 2021.
COMMUNITY & HEALING
- Communities are supported in their celebration of culture, storytelling and histories, and their self-determined futures.
- Community-directed healing is supported, addresses inter-generational trauma, and includes Elders and young people.
- WSARA is supported to enter formal partnerships / arrangements with all levels of government.
- WSARA and NSW Government develop agreed cultural competency training programs for Western Sydney NGOs and government service providers.
FAMILIES & YOUNG PEOPLE
- Young parents develop good parenting skills.
- Children in Out-of-Home-Care are assisted in returning to their family or permanent care solutions.
- Women and children are safe at home.
Young people are supported in foundational life skills. - Wrap around (integrated) services for Aboriginal families and young people are culturally appropriate and support healing.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
- A regional health partnership agreement with Local Health Districts and Public Health Networks based on community-directed healing and trauma-informed approaches drives improved services in Western Sydney.
- More support for family carers including carers leave and similar working conditions.
- More accessible, and Aboriginal-operated aged care services.
- More D&A services and mental health services, including for at risk youth.
EDUCATION
- Stronger links between Aboriginal parents / carers, Elders and schools are formed through their design and delivery of all cultural programs.
- More Aboriginal community-operated pre-schools increases learning in culturally safe environments.
- Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centres (ALECs) and similar community-based facilities (homework centres, breakfast clubs, mentors / tutors) strengthen all levels of education achievement.
- Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) supported by family and culturally competent teachers delivers culturally appropriate learning and study.
- Training of all teaching staff in cultural awareness, competency and curriculum prepared and delivered in collaboration with local Aboriginal community members.
- School-to-work transition programs start at school assisted by UWS Badanami Centres (seven locations) and Kimberwalli (Whalan) and others.
HOUSING
- Improved housing supply through more rental stock (public and private) and through home ownership schemes.
- More suitable housing for larger families.
- More support services for single-parent families.
JOBS & BUSINESS
- Job pathways link education to employment, assist the transition from welfare to work, encourage new entrepreneurs and respond to emerging opportunities and major projects (eg W Sydney Airport).
- A Western Sydney Aboriginal Employment Strategy secures new jobs and business contracts in local and NSW governments, and in NGO service providers that serve Aboriginal communities.
- Support new employees and businesses through mentoring, transport, start-up funding, capacity-building, marketing and networking.
- Barriers to employment are addressed (e.g. racism, tokenism, personal and community challenges) through improved and culturally appropriate recruitment processes.
- ACCOs and enterprise tendering is more successful (especially against larger / established entities NGOs etc).
- Coordinate regional employment and business opportunities through better communication between communities, governments, and industry sectors, by governments and employers being held accountable for meeting targets, and through better data and reporting.
JUSTICE
- Reduce incarceration and detention through prevention and intervention programs (e.g. WDOs, Koori Court, education, mental health services, alternatives to fines).
- Eliminate racial profiling and racism in Police enforcement by direct engagement with community.
- Health and literacy programs in prison / detention especially targeting D&A, mental health, preparation for release, and otitis media in youth.
- Men and parents returning home from prison need supports and transition programs.
WSARA would welcome your feedback and/or discussion to administration@wsara.org.au or with during your scheduled meeting with a WSARA representative.