Natasha Robinson; 24/2/10
As they gathered around an architect’s plans for their new community, drawn on butcher’s paper, the people of Ilpeye Ilpeye were sure of one thing. Once it begins to take shape, they will no longer be living in a town camp – it will proudly be named an “estate”. The residents of Ilpeye Ilpeye on the outskirts of Alice Springs are soon to become the first Aboriginal people living in a town camp able to purchase their own homes, after handing title of their land to Canberra last month. Under the deal, the commonwealth acquired the town camp land and in return gave freehold title to its residents, opening the way for historic investments in housing and infrastructure.
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, Human Rights