Infrastructure Victoria says vital works are needed to support the health of vulnerable residents.
Up to $150 million in capital investment is urgently needed to replace or upgrade critical infrastructure supporting Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) across Victoria, according to a joint report from Infrastructure Victoria and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO).
The report highlights severe structural issues across more than 200 buildings used by 31 ACCOs to deliver health and wellbeing services.
Over half the facilities are at the end of their useful life, and 42% of floor space is considered in “critical condition”.
An additional $30 million per year over the next five years is required to address urgent repairs and bring ageing facilities up to safe operational standards.
“Many Victorian ACCOs are operating in hand-me-down buildings that were never designed for clinical use,” said Infrastructure Victoria CEO Dr Jonathan Spear.
“This poses safety risks and compromises the ability to meet growing demand.”
VACCHO CEO Dr Jill Gallagher AO noted that inadequate infrastructure diverts critical resources away from service delivery.
“Our buildings are ageing, inefficient and expensive to operate. The burden this places on ACCOs is unsustainable,” she said.
The research says that despite these constraints, ACCOs continue to deliver culturally safe, high-quality care with demonstrably better outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
Services delivered by ACCOs are found to be up to 50 per cent more effective than their mainstream counterparts, yet they’re often delivered from makeshift or inappropriate buildings.
