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Development and Planning

Development and Planning, incorporating community development is a many faceted subject which involves the skills of numerous people. These skills include leadership, planning, cross-cultural abilities, language abilities, technical expertise, local knowledge, finance, project development, teaching and health work. Community development promotes the well-being of a community and its members. It stimulates people to be involved at the local level in issues, which contribute to producing a functional society. Basic factors like adequate food supplies, health services, employment and education also contribute to the well-being of a community. Community development begins with the individual where each person is considered a valued member within the community and as a part of the APY Lands. Each person has a contribution to make, which in turn, sustains the community. Community development is also a process, which can be stimulated by specialised people often called community workers or facilitators. Their role is to be change agents, people who help facilitate change allowing a community to achieve its goals. Community development motivates people to develop structures through which they can represent themselves politically, socially and culturally. The development of functional councils and executives provides a mechanism for people to express themselves effectively at all levels. Community development encourages the creation and ownership of local ideas, technologies and concepts. It also stimulates the transfer and adoption of the same from other cultures. Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people have been involved with all aspects of community development both culturally and cross-culturally. Over the past 30 years they have been involved in developing their own forms of local government, which has allowed them to achieve land rights as well as the ownership of their own health services and other functions. There have also been many achievements at the community or local level. Community development is all about capacity building, community engagement and building partnerships. The primary role of the APY Development and Planning function is to assist Anangu, Communities, Community Councils and the APY Executive Board in making informed decisions on the appropriateness of proposed building developments on the APY Lands. In order to achieve broader, long term successes and sustainable outcomes, Development and Planning must also coordinate the provision of development and infrastructure planning. This function requires the following process: Assess potential developments in regard to future planning of communities, Building Code of Australia, the Minister’s specification for Housing on Remote Aboriginal Lands and Department of Health regulations; Assess potential sites for required services and suitable conditions; Assist applicants in site selection of proposed developments; Consider land use and future development of communities; Monitor, assist and asses all aspects of building development on the lands including site safety, building demolition, local employment opportunities, value for money and compliance with regulations; Organise meeting with Communities and Community Councils to discuss potential developments and to seek their approval; Present proposed development to the APY Executive Board for comment and approval; and, Provide relevant information, documents application forms and advice to potential development applicants. Process Required for Planning Approval on the APY Lands All development must go through a three phase planning approval process: Planning approval through the APY Planning process (involving Traditional Owner, Community Council and APY Executive approval); Planning approval through Development Assessment Commission (DAC). DAC is the State government body that assesses developments out side local council areas; and, Provision Building Rules Consent to asses the building for technical requirements such as structure, plumbing, electrics and health and amenity. APY Processes and Protocols APY Development Application Process (147.64 kB) APY Consultation Protocols (386.19 kB) Development and Land Tenure Application Forms APY Development Application Form (120 kB) APY Land Tenure Application (106.8 kB)