Urgent infrastructure investment needed to support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Victorians

A joint report developed by Infrastructure Victoria and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) finds that up to $150 million is needed to deliver major new and upgraded facilities to replace high-risk, unsafe buildings with failing foundations, walls or roofs.

Another $30 million of funding is needed each year over the next 5 years for Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisations to urgently repair existing infrastructure.

More than 30 Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) provide health and wellbeing services to the Aboriginal community across the state. Evidence shows that services delivered by ACCOs have a 50% greater impact than if those same interventions were delivered through mainstream health services.

An assessment by VACCHO and Victorian Department of Health found that 82% of Victorian health and wellbeing ACCO buildings need replacing or substantial repairs within the next 15 years. The audit of 200 ACCO buildings across 31 VACCHO-member organisations found that 52% of ACCO infrastructure is already at the end of its useful life and 42% of the total floor space is in a critical condition.

Despite the state of infrastructure, the Victorian ACCO model delivers quality outcomes and early interventions that improve health and wellbeing and reduce pressure on other healthcare services. But the research finds the ACCO model could do much more if the infrastructure worked.

“By placing Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands, informed by Aboriginal philosophies and cultures of care, ACCOs deliver the best outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians,” said Infrastructure Victoria Chief Executive Dr Jonathan Spear.

“Demand is increasing and funding is urgently needed to ensure Aboriginal Victorians can access infrastructure that supports the quality health and wellbeing services ACCOs provide,” he said.

VACCHO Chief Executive Dr Jill Gallagher AO said better infrastructure investment would allow ACCOs to focus on service delivery, rather than juggling an ever-growing list of stop-gap repairs.   

“ACCOs provide a unique ‘one-stop shop’ that offers multiples services, such as chronic disease management and health education, wrapped with cultural care,” Dr Gallagher said. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are nearly 20% more likely to adhere to treatment plans provided by ACCOs compared with mainstream health services.

“Our model of care delivers better results for our communities because its run by and for our communities,” Dr Gallagher said. “But most of our funding supports service delivery, not infrastructure. This creates an overwhelming administration and maintenance burden for our ACCOs.”

The research report recommends the Victorian Government act now to fund urgent repairs and minor works to make the buildings safe, operational and efficient. Most of these infrastructure problems are the result of long-term underfunding and many ACCO health and wellbeing buildings are inefficient and expensive to operate.

“Many Victorian health and well-being ACCOs are operating in ‘hand-me down’ buildings that were not designed for their current use. In some cases, this poses clear risks to ACCO staff and clients. There are also clinicians who have to work in a storeroom and staff who need to wear coats and hats inside because their buildings are unsuitable,” Dr Spear said.

Energy upgrades are needed to improve the efficiency of ACCO buildings and reduce running costs. Recent building energy audits found ACCOs could collectively save $3 million a year through energy upgrades.

“Rooftop solar panels, upgraded lighting, and shading or tinting external windows can deliver more than $3 million of savings for ACCOs across Victoria”, Dr Gallagher said. “The money saved can be used for services to support our communities.”

For media enquiries about ACCOs:

Simone Cutajar simonecu@vaccho.org.au 0402 448 438

For all other media enquiries:

Lydia Hanna Lydia.Hanna@infrastructurevictoria.com.au 0416 204 446