Council advocates for innovation and investment

Federal Opposition members Jason Clare (Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment and Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) and Warren Snowdon met with West Arnhem Regional Council recently. 
This meeting provided the opportunity for the Council to discuss how residents of remote communities can be included in the development of the Indigenous policy platform that will be taken by the ALP to the next election. 
The Council also discussed the infrastructure needs of the West Arnhem region, emphasising that bringing the amenity of communities up to a similar standard to Jabiru is at the heart of meeting the challenge of Closing the Gap in Indigenous disadvantage. 
The Council outlined the logistical challenges involved in service delivery in the region, explaining that transport costs and the impact of the wet season on the challenge of road maintenance is a significant issue.
New ways of participating in the mainstream economy were also explored during the meeting with a focus on growing local employment opportunities throughout the region, particularly within the tourism sector. 
With the upcoming redevelopment of Jabiru as a tourism hub, there is an opportunity for local artists, cultural guides etc. to expand and directly engage with visitors to the region.