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Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program


The Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP) is a co-operative initiative between the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and Army to improve environmental health conditions within remote Aboriginal communities.

A steering committee with representation from all key organisations runs the program, identifying appropriate locations for project delivery.

Each project has a construction component, a health component and a training component. The construction component focuses on the provision of environmental health infrastructure such as housing, water, sewerage and electrical services as well as improving access to primary health care facilities by constructing or upgrading roads and airfields. The health component focuses on augmenting existing community medical, dental and veterinary programs. The training component focuses on specific skills required within the community and includes courses on construction and building maintenance, vehicle and small engine maintenance, welding, concreting and cooking.

Army is involved with AACAP at the direction of the Australian Government. Army involvement is based on its suitability to meet priorities and works proposals as determined by the steering
committee. Army undertakes projects only after close, culturally sensitive consultation with the indigenous communities concerned. Works are not undertaken without the approval of the
communities involved and the steering committee. Army coordinates support from across the ADF and participation from other nations.

The AACAP objectives are consistent with those of the National Aboriginal Health Strategy (NAHS) program.

The AACAP seeks to maximise benefit to Indigenous communities by focusing on projects that allow Army to make best use of its construction expertise and capability, by capitalising on Army’s ability to holistically deliver a range of services to remote Indigenous communities, that would not normally be available in a single project.

(Current as at 02 May 2008)