This section provides details of key references relevant to Indigenous environmental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander environmental health practitioners.
Please select category from the dropdown list below.
This publication provides a framework to facilitate an understanding of the issues which arise in the provision of infrastructure for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The main focus of the guide is the installation and maintenance of infrastructure which is appropriate and sustainable for remote Indigenous communities. The importance of community in this process is highlighted in the guide.
The National Indigenous infrastructure guide complements the existing National Indigenous Housing Guide and the Environmental Health Handbooks. The guide provides information on:
The guide was produced by the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) with funding from the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
The Environmental Health Needs Survey was conducted over 2007 and 2008 and is the third survey in a series which surveyed housing, services, utilities, community infrastructure and the immediate living environment in discrete Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. Data collected related to over 15,000 residents from 232 communities. This publication reports the outcomes of this survey and provides a comparison with the outcomes of the 1997 and 2004 surveys.
The survey was conducted by environmental health practitioners who work with and in discrete Aboriginal communities. The practitioners visited the communities to survey existing infrastructure. Information was also collected about levels of community satisfaction and any concerns with the provision of essential, municipal and allied services which influenced and affected environmental health in the communities.
The core environmental health and infrastructure issues covered in the report were:
The report provides an evidence base which highlights the continued environmental health issues faced by many of the communities who participated in the survey. It is the foundation for the future direction of service plans and delivery in discrete communities.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
Indigenous housing indicators 2007-08 provides data on Indigenous community housing, state owned and managed Indigenous housing and on Indigenous access to mainstream housing programs. The information was collected from several sources to report against nationally agreed indicators, including:
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This manual contains practical information on establishing culturally appropriate and sustainable dog programs in Indigenous communities. It is intended for veterinarians, environmental health workers, local government and organisations and individuals interested in the health and wellbeing of animals, their owners and their communities.
This is the only such guide currently available. The manual has been written by Dr Samantha Phelan, a Northern Territory-based veterinarian with significant field experience in remote Indigenous communities.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This report presents the results from the third Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey (CHINS), held in 2006. The publication includes information relating to housing, such as current housing stock, dwelling management practices and some information about Indigenous organisations that provide housing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The report also provides information about housing related infrastructure such as water, electricity, sewerage, drainage, and rubbish collection and disposal, as well as other facilities such as transport, communication, education, sport and health services, available in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This literature review summarises evidence of interventions that have shown to have positive impacts on selected social and environmental factors relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. It details research and evaluations of community programs in nutrition, early childhood, housing, sporting and cultural programs, employment, community services and alcohol use. Information provided will assist staff in Indigenous Coordination Centres in the development of Regional Partnership Agreements and Shared Reasonability Agreements.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
The National Indigenous Housing Guide is a practical resource to support the planning and development of Indigenous housing in terms of design, construction and maintenance for remote communities.
The resource is divided into four parts including:
It is useful for builders, trades people, housing workers, council members, architects, project managers, or government officials working in Indigenous affairs and housing.
The guide was developed by the Australian Government in partnership with communities, housing design consultants, builders, architects and health workers. It is supported by research and meets Australian building standards.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This report details a strategy intended to address emergency management in remote Indigenous Australian communities. The strategy, developed through extensive consultation with members of Indigenous communities, provides a framework for a coordinated and cooperative approach to all aspects of emergency management. Essentially the report includes seven priorities and lists specific goals and guiding actions to ensure the fulfillment of each priority.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This paper builds on working paper 1: Value in and of desert Australia, and examines the relationship between population mobility and land transport systems, as part of an analysis of desert settlement sustainability. The author argues that this relationship is fundamental to economic activity in desert settlements. The paper contains information relating specifically to central Australia, and includes analyses of Indigenous and non-Indigenous mobility, data relating to vehicles and road maintenance, and data from studies of remote transport schemes.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract
This handbook was produced for community based Indigenous environmental health practitioners, stressing the importance of planning for action when dealing with major environmental health issues.
The handbook includes illustrations, case studies, worksheets and forms to help practitioners in their work. It can also be used as a training manual.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract