WA plans consultations on proposed community closures

Consultation will begin with remote Indigenous communities in Western Australia mid-year with up to 150 facing closure.

AAP
Closures were flagged by the state government seven months ago, but Indigenous communities say they still have no idea of what the future holds for them.

Evicted from their homeland, the former residents of Oombulgurri mourn for their lost community.

Delia Clarke says it's painful to remember what they have lost.

"Broke my heart, it always does to talk about Oombi, it breaks my heart."

More than four years ago, Oombulgurri in the eastern Kimberley was shut down, deemed to be in a state of crisis after a spate of suicides.

It's population of just over 100 was relocated to Wyndham, the northernmost town in the Kimberley region.

But Ms Clarke says they're struggling to settle in to a town that's not their own.

"Me and my kids were safe over there. Good. We don't even like Wyndham."

She says they live on the outskirts of the town, as they don't feel comfortable living in the urban centre accommodation.

Ms Clarke says some former residents have turned to alcohol and crime.

"My son he's been in trouble all the time. My son is 16 when we came from Oombulgurri and once we get here he is doing stealing and whatever you know."

It's a future that up to 150 remote communties across the state are facing.

The West Australian government says it's unable to fund the the communties and due to Federal Government funding cuts they will have to close.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott angering many in the Indigenous communities with his comments on the issue.

"It's not the job of the taxpayer to subsidise lifestyle choices."

Keith Andrews, chairman of the Biridu Community, disagrees with the premise of the comment.

"It's something that has been put on there way before his time. That's our ancestors Mr Abbott so it's not a lifestyle choice. For me it's something left to us."

It's not certain which communities will close, but 12-thousand people are expected to be relocated.

Murra Worra Worra Director Selena Middleton says many are in a state of panic.

"Where are we going to go? The government is not listening to us and they're not recognising us for who we are, the people of this land."

Ms Middleton says community leaders want to know why money from Royalties for Regions - a program to support regional development with WA mining profits - can't be used to support the remote communties.

In a statement, WA Premier Colin Barnett says the reality is that maintaining 274 remote communities is not sustainable.

He's promising that nothing will happen overnight.

Diane Chungal of the Bungardi Community says there has been little to no discussion with Indigenous community leaders so far.

"The government is not even talking to us about how, why why they doing these things. We just like refugees in our own country."

The state government says it will open a consultation period in June.


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