Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) gives notice in accordance to section 158 of the Local Government Act (2008) that the following rates and charges were declared to apply to the financial year ending 30 June 2022 at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Friday 30 May 2021. Rates Declaration for 2021-22 is available on our website at  Rates Declaration 2021-22  or at our Council Offices in community as well as at 1 Bagot Street, Alice Springs.

As part of its reengagement strategy with clients, Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Community Development Program (CDP) was on the road to deliver its Careers Expo. Over 13 and 14 July, three teams crisscrossed the region with a single objective: to bring together job seekers and employers in the region.

The themes of this year’s event were:

·         Continuing conversations with job seekers on the latest changes to mutual obligations by Government.

·         Surveying job seekers to capture their input on CDP servicing. 

·         Providing a pop-up jobs expo space for employers in the region to exhibit jobs and services to clients.   

On Wednesday 14 July the Community Safety Patrol (CSP) successfully recommenced with a full CSP crew in Nyirripi. Nyirripi has lacked a CSP team for about 18 months and Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) has been working with the community to encourage job applications, and have now employed a full team of four, two women and two men. They are Maxie Pollard, Antonia Wilson, Christine Curtis and Lance Turner. 

They plan to work six nights a week, splitting each night in to male and female shifts, with the women working the earlier part of the evening, meeting the men halfway through the night to let them know what’s been happening around community, and the men working the remainder.

The Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) People and Culture Recruitment Team have been busy over April and May running recruitment training in communities. This was the first time the team had been to most communities so it was a great opportunity for them to get to know more of the staff.

The training was aligned to the Recruitment and Selection Standard Operating Procedure with an aim to increase the accuracy and compliance of recruitment paperwork received as well as compliance to the procedure, policy and Local Government Act requirements.

In June 2021, the Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Community Development Program (CDP) collaborated with DriveSafe to deliver remote licencing to jobseekers and residents in Yuelamu, Yuendumu, Laramba, Willowra and Anmatjere. Participants across these communities accessed theory classes and road safety education lessons towards their Learner and Provisional licences, and practical driving assessments.

A total of 137 people attended the training. 73 people gained their Learner licences, 12 obtained Provisional licences and 5 participants obtained full licences.  

On 23 and 24 June, Aged Care staff from all of the Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Aged Care Centres - Anmatjere, Atitjere, Engawala, Lajamanu, Laramba, Nyirripi, Wilora, Willowra and Yuelamu came together in Alice Springs for two days of training with Culturally Directed Care Solutions (CDCS). CDCS assists remote aged care services to be more efficient, meet compliance standards and provide quality care to their target group.

CDRC is dedicated to training its staff to create the best possible outcomes for its residents.

Photo: The CDRC Aged Care staff.

Yuelamu had a good turnout of around 50 people for NAIDOC celebrations on 24 June, early to coincide with the term two end of school farewell. It was held in the Yuelamu School grounds with Traditional Owners and Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Councillor David McCormack present for the combined celebration.

As part of the CDRC NAIDOC Art Competition, the school children were passionate about creating art. There were different styles of hut structures from different States of Australia from the senior class, and the Junior Primary created art on canvas. The art pieces are on show in the Council office area for residents to view and to add a colourful vibe in the Centrelink office.

Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Aged Care workers are now being vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. In Engawala, all staff and clients have been fully vaccinated, having received two shots. The staff were a little unsure at first but after Traditional Owner Kevin Bloomfield volunteered to go first the staff followed.

In other communities the staff have had only one shot, and in others still they are waiting for the next round of vaccines to arrive.

Photo: Wayne Porter, Aged Care Coordinator in Nyirripi, receiving his first Pfizer vaccine shot.

Atitjere and Engawala Aged Care staff are currently completing a certificate II in Family Wellbeing with Batchelor. The training, taking place at Engawala and Atitjere, is a program that addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues that impact on an individual’s wellbeing, family unity and community harmony.

Through the certificate, staff will gain knowledge on how to face their own personal issues and to help others in community when help is needed, especially Aged Care clients.

It will also open a pathway to higher level qualifications in Aged Care for the staff.

Cyril Kunoth (Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Yuendumu Roads Team Leader) passed his Heavy Combination (HC) driver licence training on Wednesday 23 June. He can now drive the CDRC prime mover and trailer which is used to cart heavy machinery between sites.

This is usually a tough test which includes a theory part and a three hour practical test, including everything from controlling the truck to coupling/uncoupling the trailer and securing loads. He didn’t make it in his first attempt which shows just how tough it is, but he did pass his second attempt.