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  4. National Infrastructure Project Facilitator

Facilitating the successful delivery of people-centred facilities for living and healing on Country

WSP is overseeing over 90 projects to reduce the health and accommodation disadvantages experienced by rural and remote First Nations communities around Australia. The projects involve construction and refurbishment of health care hubs, clinics, health staff accommodation and aged care facilities – but these developments are much more than mere buildings. The projects are delivering warm and supportive people-centred environments, co-designed and co-delivered with First Nations communities, to provide culturally appropriate spaces for patients and families at critical moments in their lives.  

WSP was appointed by the ARC as the National Infrastructure Project Facilitator (NIPF) under the Federal Government’s Closing the Gap Infrastructure Project. As the NIPF, WSP is project managing the delivery of services on these infrastructure projects in collaboration with the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).  

Location

  • Australia

Maari Ma Primary Health Care Facility – image credit Robin Sellick

We are guiding the ACCHSs through funding agreements, providing specialist advice to ensure projects proceed smoothly and deliver value for money, and helping to resolve any delivery issues in a culturally appropriate and sensitive manner.  

There’s much more to the successful delivery of major projects than being on time, on budget and in line with technical standards. WSP’s Gary Pollock, Program Leader NIPF (based in Darwin), says that the key consideration in these projects is cultural safety.  

“We want every project to exceed expectations, and the best way to achieve that is through consistent and respectful whole-of-project engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities so that the outcomes meet each community’s needs and desires and honour their cultural sensitivities,” he says. 

“In line with WSP’s Reconciliation Action Plan, we’re deeply committed to creating strong and culturally respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, involving Indigenous communities in infrastructure, and stimulating growth for Indigenous businesses.” 

 

Uplifting places for health and wellbeing

In our role as NIPF, WSP is excited to be working hand in hand with First Nations communities to deliver health facilities that create safe, supportive and nurturing environments for patients, personnel, families and communities. Many of the projects incorporate inspiring, world-class architecture, local artwork and beautiful native landscaping to promote a deep sense of wellbeing and connection with Country. 

In Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory, the Yutjuwala Djiwarr (Little Heaven) Flexible Aged Care facility has been delivered under the program. This facility provides much-needed accommodation in 32 self-contained bedrooms and a dialysis facility, so that members of the local community do not have to leave their families and community to travel to Darwin for care. The facility was developed in close consultation with the Yolngu community, ensuring culturally appropriate design and helping residents maintain their strong connections to Country. Kaunitz Yeung as the Construction Project Manager ensured Country was incorporated into the fabric of the building itself in the form of locally sourced Darwin stringybark timber used in the cladding and decks, with local materials and native plantings incorporated into the landscaping. Local children and community members were encouraged to leave handprints, footprints and stencils in the concrete. The resulting facility is aesthetic and welcoming, full of natural light and strong connection to the outdoors. 

Maari Ma Primary Health Care Facility – image credit Robin Sellick

Another success under the program is the Maari Ma Primary Health Care Facility, in Wilcannia in outback New South Wales (co-funded by the Department of Regional NSW, NSW Ministry of Health, and the Indigenous Land & Sea Corporation). The new facility enabled the relocation of the existing general practice and primary healthcare services provided by Maari Ma and will provide a range of health services to the population of 745 people living 200 km from Broken Hill. Thoughtful design from Construction Project Manager Troppo ensured Barkintji culture was incorporated into the facility, including through local art featuring the Nutchi (Rainbow Serpent) and totems of several local families. 

We want every project to exceed expectations, and the best way to achieve that is through consistent and respectful whole-of-project engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities so that the outcomes meet each community’s needs and desires and honour their cultural sensitivities

Building a healthier and more equitable future

These are just two examples of the kinds of projects we’re helping to deliver in our role as NIPF in collaboration with Aboriginal health organisations and communities. We are eager to see First Nations communities achieve the health care and aged care facilities and services they truly desire. We also want to see the projects roll out smoothly to optimise the outcomes of the government’s investment into accessible health care and services in these remote parts of Australia.  

We recognise that the right environment can make a big difference to physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing – so we’re excited to be part of delivering the innovative, sustainable and nurturing facilities that can help create a healthier and more equitable future. 

Other challenges that we have overcome