Nyirripi Learning Centre and Recreation Hall
Image: Andrew Broffman
Nyirippi is a Warlpiri community in the Central Desert, 420kms from Alice Springs, on Country protected by the Yunkanjini Aboriginal Land Trust.
Life in the community has outpaced its modest Learning Centre and Recreation Hall. Both need upgrading to ensure that these important hubs continue to serve the community well into the future.
The Learning Centre delivers a range of education and training courses and the community views this as an essential service and is eager for the building to be refreshed.
The Recreation Hall has been closed due to unsafe building conditions. When operating, the Hall provides activities for children, teens and young adults, including sport, music, art and craft, and is an important focus for the Nyirripi community.
The Granites Mine Affected Areas Aboriginal Corporation (GMAAAC) allocated funds for community engagement, concept design and costing for upgrades to these buildings.
What did we do?
Working with GMAAAC and the Central Land Council (CLC), our role was to facilitate community engagement and provide design services that would enable GMAAAC to make informed decisions around the cost and feasibility of these projects. We were able to translate the aspirations of the community into an achievable and costed built form.
We visited Nyirripi and worked closely with community stakeholders and staff to develop options that would meet their needs. As with all our community engagement, we listened closely and communicated clearly to ensure that what was said was heard.
What was the outcome?
The design moves are modest – upgraded kitchens, weatherproofing, improved security, better disability access, a mix of small private spaces and larger rooms for training– but the impact will be huge.
The concepts have been costed and the risks identified. The community is now fully briefed and able to pursue the next stage of the project with confidence.