The Registry of Co-operatives & Associations has recently embarked on a joint initiative with the Barwon Darling Alliance to use the co-operative structure to assist the social and economic development of the Aboriginal communities in the region.

The Alliance, comprising five Shire Councils - Bourke, Brewarrina, Central Darling, Coonamble and Walgett, as well as the Murdi Paaki Regional Council of ATSIC, has been formed to develop and promote sustainable social and economic growth in the Barwon Darling region. The joint initiative aims to reduce unemployment and improve the quality of life for Aboriginal communities in the region by helping them to establish commercially viable businesses using the co-operative structure as the legal framework for new ventures.

The joint initiative is the result of the Registry’s increased networking activity with local councils under its Co-operate and Regional Development Strategy (CARDS). The strategy seeks to encourage and participate in community development programs where the Registry’s expertise in the formation of co-operative organisations can assist the local government approach. A central component of the strategy involves locating an appropriate rural or regional community in which to undertake a project pilot showcasing the benefits of local level co-operation in community renewal and capacity building efforts.

Following a review of several options, identified through the work of CARDS, the Aboriginal Enterprise Project (AE Project) of the Barwon Darling Alliance was assessed as being the most suitable for progressing a pilot. The proposal has been given the support of the Co-operatives Council (an advisory council to the Minister for Fair Trading established under the Co-operatives Act).

Following a review of several options, identified through the work of CARDS, the Aboriginal Enterprise Project (AE Project) of the Barwon Darling Alliance was assessed as being the most suitable for progressing a pilot. The proposal has been given the support of the Co-operatives Council (an advisory council to the Minister for Fair Trading established under the Co-operatives Act).

The Alliance is funding a Project Officer to co-ordinate the initiative. Initial contact with communities will be made through local Aboriginal Land Councils, CDEP’s and community organisations to assess potential opportunities for start-up businesses and to identify enthusiastic people to carry forward new enterprise initiatives. The creation and development of Aboriginal enterprises will utilise grant support from various government programs but will be expected to generate revenues to be self-sustaining. The Alliance is intending to support new business enterprises for the first three years of operation. Support includes research prior to establishment, co-ordination of support services, and community liaison. The Alliance is also proposing to utilise the network of Government Aboriginal liaison officers working in the region to assist, monitor and report on the progress of new ventures.

The scope of the Registry’s activities under the AE Project will encompass community consultation, group presentations and workshops, particularly involving the provision of advice and assistance in relation to new co-operative ventures. In addition, the Registry will be encouraging the involvement of other State and Commonwealth government and non-government agencies (eg. Business Enterprise Centres) as well as helping to identify funding programs which may be available to relevant community groups. The Co-operative Development Fund administered by the Registry is one of a number of government programs, which small enterprises can access for strategic planning and other start-up activities.

The industries that have been identified as offering the most potential for advancing the objectives of the Alliance and achieving economic viability in the region are: - tourism, arts and craft, wholesale nurseries and housing construction, repair and maintenance. There may also be opportunities to use existing local infrastructure to service community needs through co-operative ownership.

The AE Project will initially focus on the eight communities of Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Coonamble, Dareton, Goodooga, Lightning Ridge and Walgett. Each of these communities will be approached to participate in the Project on a progressive basis. The creation and development of the Aboriginal enterprises will rely on utilising grant support from various government programs, but will be expected to generate revenue to be self-sustaining. The Alliance is intending to support new business enterprises for the first three years of operation.

The small Aboriginal community of Goodooga has already sought to be involved in the AE Project. Earlier this year, Registry staff conducted a workshop for a delegation of community representatives and the decision was made to form a co-operative. The community was particularly attracted to the co-operative structure because of the principles that govern the way they operate. The community expressed the view that the democratic structure of co-operatives, which allows members to have an equal say in the decision making process, plus the advantages of local ownership and local control make it better suited to the Aboriginal culture than other legal frameworks.

The community is proposing to use the structure to implement and manage several local development proposals in Goodooga including the supply of fuel and mechanical services currently only available in Lightning Ridge approximately 80 kilometres away. The Department of State and Regional Development is also involved in the Goodooga initiative and has worked closely with the Registry to help the community complete the necessary documentation for registration of the co-operative. It is anticipated that the community will hold a formation meeting within the next couple of weeks.

The Alliance has recently approached the communities of Wilcannia, Ivanhoe and Menindee to seek their involvement in the AE Project and the response to that initial visit was encouraging. The Alliance is also planning to approach the communities of Lightning Ridge, Coonamble and Walgett within the next couple of weeks. It is planned to involve the expertise of the Registry following the identification of new venture opportunities.

The Registry is proposing to use the experiences from the Aboriginal enterprise co-operative pilot initiative to encourage similar alliances with other local government councils in order to further assist and promote the development of Aboriginal communities around NSW.

Jon Robinson
Manager Special Projects
Registry of Co-operatives & Associations
21 August 2003.