Peak Hill upgrades through Roads to Home
The Central West Aboriginal community at Peak Hill is celebrating the completion of $330,000 in infrastructure upgrades to support social, economic and employment benefits for the area.
Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts said upgrades have been undertaken under the NSW Government’s Roads to Home program to lay new foundations for advancement in the community.
“Roads to Home is a true grassroots program that works alongside Aboriginal communities to improve quality of life and economic opportunities by installing vital infrastructure,” Mr Roberts said.
“Roads to Home upgrades have been undertaken in Whitton Road at Peak Hill, overseen by Peak Hill Aboriginal Land Council, including footpath repairs, road widening, curb and guttering, removal of asbestos, and electrical infrastructure work.
“Investment in better infrastructure helps provide better access for services like rubbish collection, mail deliveries, and community transport, while generating employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.”
Peak Hill Local Aboriginal Land Council community liaison officer Kerri Cohen said the community event on 24 January will celebrate completion of work which provided employment for four local Aboriginal residents and TAFE training for 15.
“We have been blessed with the opportunity the Roads to Home program has provided our community, which is excited about more housing eventually coming here through subdivided lots. Beautification work will follow later with planting of trees and lawns.
“Separately, other recent improvements in Whitton Road have included NBN cabling, water meters, and extra street lights and poles,” Ms Cohen said.
To date, the NSW Government has committed $141 million to upgrade 34 Aboriginal communities under Roads to Home, which has employed 21 Aboriginal Community
Liaison Officers across the state and is led by an Aboriginal team.
Department of Planning and Environment Executive Director-Aboriginal Strategy and Outcomes Mark DeWeerd said Roads to Home empowered Aboriginal communities.
“As well as better infrastructure, the program trains and employs Aboriginal people through partnerships with contractors, TAFE NSW and registered training organisations,” Mr DeWeerd said.