More of Uluru park fees to go to ‘healthy lifestyle’ community projects

A new agreement between the traditional owners in the Docker River, Areyonga, Mutijulu and Impana communities will see $750,000 or 37.5% of the total $2 million annual tourist fees go to community projects.

After recent publicity over deaths from petrol sniffing, the communities have agreed to fund priority projects:

1)a feasibility study into combatting petrol sniffing programs and treatment options for the region;
2)support for Anangu on dialysis in Alice Springs;
3)a bid to give local indigenous youth healthy lifestyle options: improvements to Areyonga’s basketball court, a BMX track at Docker River, a new community store at Impana.

Central Land Council director David Ross says some communities want to develop Shared Responsibility Agreements with the Federal Government to attract further funding for the projects.