THE Northern Territory and federal governments have done nothing to remove the intervention-era signage which remains intact on highways and at the entrances to many Territory indigenous communities, despite official recommendations to do so.
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It has been more than seven years since Canberra backed away from the controversial policy, and in the 2012 Stronger Futures report, it was recognised that the form and placement of the signs have caused considerable offence to community members.
When questioned this week as to why nothing has been done to remove the signs, a spokesperson for Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion said community opinion varied on the matter.
“Different communities have different views about the signs and whether they should be retained, removed or replaced and, if to be replaced, the nature of the replacement sign,” the spokesman told the Katherine Times.
The spokesman said the signs on highways and at the entrances to communities describing alcohol and other restrictions were previously governed under the Stronger Futures in the NT National Partnership Agreement.
“That agreement is currently being renegotiated, and the investment will transfer to a new NPA on Remote Indigenous Investment on July 1,” he said.
At Rockhole, however, the community is sick of waiting.
For the past six weeks, local artist and graphic designer Carol Randall has been facilitating arts and design workshops with job seekers in the community.
Ms Randall said the issue of the sign had been discussed again and again in Rockhole, but the community was fearful of removing the sign itself.
A 2013 community engagement safety audit police report of Rockhole noted that the community was devoid of any welcoming signage to foster identity and pride among its residents.
“This is a community that wants to rediscover their identity, and you can start to do that with welcoming signage,” Ms Randall said.
“They’re tired of anticipating the maintenance that never comes, and the community wants the sign to change.
“It’s not just cosmetic - it’s much more important than that, because it’s about making people feel normal and welcome in their own community.”
Following inquiries from the Katherine Times, Senator Scullion has asked the Department of Aboriginal Affairs to work with the Rockhole community, in consultation with the Territory government, on its preferred option for the future of the sign.
