Training & Community Involvement for Remote Housing Projects in Australia Northern Territory

Abstract—Construction of houses in remote communities faces a range of challenges, many of which would be reduced by the involvement of local community members during the construction.  Remote housing demand is high and under-resourcing in existing houses impacts on the health of the occupants.  This research investigates and evaluates ways to improve community engagement in remote housing projects. Builders with experience delivering remote housing projects were asked to provide insight relating to the potential training and involvement of community members during construction. It was found that builders have major challenges with work ethics, poor numeracy and literacy and language barrier in remote areas which hinder community engagement in remote projects. Some building techniques such as slab on ground and steel wall framing were found more effective for community engagement. Results also show that training of community members could be improved by setting benchmark goals to be achieved throughout a project.  This means there is an opportunity for housing projects in remote communities to improve on essential training and employment through better involvement of local community members during construction, in turn this will lead to better maintenance and understanding of houses.