Thursday, 22 June 2023

Ministers statements: Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Equality) (12:05): I rise today as Minister for Regional Development to update the house on the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative elders independent living community project. Aboriginal elders in Ballarat will soon have access to a culturally specific independent living village thanks to a $2.6 million investment from the Andrews government. It was really wonderful to join elders, including Noongar elder Alan ‘Big Al’ Harris, who was there at the sod turn earlier this year and who will reside in the village with his wife Leonie once it is complete, and to join BADAC CEO Karen Heap and a number of other elders who have been such a big part of the planning and execution of this project since the funding was announced. Importantly, we were able to acknowledge a couple of the elders who are now in the Dreaming but who worked really hard to bring this project to fruition.

Along with local members Michaela Settle, Juliana Addison and Martha Haylett, we were delighted to turn the sod and to look forward to confirmation of the foundations of the units being laid. This is, really importantly, a project that is located really close to the Ballarat city centre, providing connectivity that is meaningful as far as participation in everyday life goes – and in a culturally specific setting as well. This is eight self-contained units. It has got a central hall for community meals, treatment rooms for medical personnel and also a veggie garden. We want to make sure that elders can live independently whilst getting the care that they need. Ballarat-based DRAR Constructions will build the village. This is a 160 jobs during construction and four jobs on an ongoing basis. Cultural themes and spaces are being designed in conjunction with and in partnership with elders. Congratulations to everyone involved.