Recommendation 74 was intended to support development of infrastructure and technological innovations tailored for remote Aboriginal communities. When this recommendation was made, the Centre for Appropriate Technology in Alice Springs was looking at innovative ways to design infrastructure and use technology in remote communities, like making sure houses had access to clean water, solar panels, and lights that could operate without being connected to an electricity grid. In the 2005 Review, the Victorian Government considered this recommendation the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government, but the Aboriginal-led review team did not agree. They felt that innovative technology and infrastructure for Aboriginal communities in Victoria should be encouraged and supported.

When asked about this recommendation in 2024, Homes Victoria focused on the Building Works housing stimulus package which included $35 million for upgrades and maintenance of properties for Aboriginal communities. Led by Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) this funding is being used to work with ACCOs to deliver new Kids Under Cover studios, energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance and refurbishment works to about 2000 properties. However, it is unclear to what extent this funding is supporting development of infrastructure and technological innovations for rural or regional Aboriginal communities in Victoria. (AHV noted the absence of remote housing in Victoria, according to government definitions of remoteness, but similar challenges faced to build and maintain housing in rural and regional areas.)

What upgrades have actually been done for the houses of Aboriginal families, what technological innovations have been made? Have improvements been made to houses in isolated and regional areas? (Chris Harrison, Co-chairperson, AJC)

Minimum standards for rental properties are changed via the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic). When these standards change, there is a need also for upgrades to AHV properties. The Rapid Response Housing initiative, a key component of the Aboriginal Housing Victoria Project, focuses on cultural sensitivity and sustainability standards to address the unique needs and heritage of the Aboriginal community.

In our communities, the need for property maintenance and repairs is much greater than what can be fixed in reasonable timeframes. Landlords aren’t accountable and there’s insufficient follow-through on legislative changes. There is also a lack of community engagement in relation to design and innovation for housing and infrastructure.

When government talk about consultation with community around housing they don’t talk to the Traditional Owners. They need to go out and see people that are suffering in these bloody houses, and how they don’t get looked after, how their homes are half painted, doors aren’t fixed. Go and see those people. (Jemmes Handy, Chairperson, Loddon Mallee RAJAC)

There needs to be greater Aboriginal community engagement and integrated responses when there are changes to the minimum standards for housing. This will ensure minimum standards are met, landlords are accountable and Aboriginal households aren’t left to deal with the burden of properties lacking basic efficiency and sustainability measures:

Energy is a big issue for mob in Victoria, whether they live in homes that rented privately or through government housing. A lot of Victorian homes are not insulated correctly, which drives up energy costs and creates a massive issue for people who are trying to pay for energy. People can get into serious financial hardship with trying to pay for energy bills which can impact other areas of their lives. . . Even though there have been changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, there's still no accountability for people who don't abide by the by the act. You can take your landlord to VCAT, and they might be ordered to do something, but if they don’t abide by the order, you need to take further legal action. Nobody has money to be able to do that unless you've got a great lawyer through VALS or through Victoria Legal Aid. It’s very hard and costly. (Samantha Rudolph, VACCHO)

Recommendation 74 remains relevant given ongoing issues with housing standards, sustainability, and community consultation. Further work could improve Aboriginal housing outcomes and self-determination.