Nirrumbuk launches Kimberley Remote Aboriginal Community Leaders’ Network strategic business plan

The Kimberley Remote Aboriginal Community Leaders’ Network, which aims to realise self determination and negotiate better prices through collective bargaining, launched its new strategic business plan in Broome on September 4. The collaboration brings together 19 of the largest remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley with the business plan outlining the unique challenges remote communities face, such as the inflated cost of goods and services across the board. By leveraging economies of scale, the network aims to negotiate better service contracts, such as for freight, potentially leading to significant cost savings. Looma Community chief executive Benedicta Pindan said the network represented an opportunity for communities to work together and build a better future. “This network is about our communities leading the way, ensuring that our voices are heard, and our unique needs are met,” she said. As the first initiative of its kind in Australia, the network aspires to become a self-sustaining entity, fully governed and operated by the communities it represents. Nirrumbuk Environmental Health and Services will provide crucial support to the network during its establishment phase, administering contracts, managing funds and aiding operations. “The network represents a powerful, collective voice for remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley, and we are committed to helping it become a sustainable and impactful force for positive change,” Nirrumbuk Environmental Health and Service chief executive Raymond Christophers said.