This evaluation sought to assist the Central Land Council (CLC) to explore and improve its development work to maximise the benefits for Aboriginal people. It focused on assessing the contribution of the CLC’s Community Development Program and Community Governance Project (the Programs) to the achievement of positive social, cultural and economic outcomes, and to increasing the capacity of people and groups within the communities supported by the CLC. These communities included Imanpa, Willowra and Lajamanu. 

The evaluation used a ‘mixed methods’ approach with a particular emphasis on eliciting the views of Aboriginal people, as well as service providers working with these communities. The approach included interviews, participant observation, a feedback session and workshop, secondary data analysis, and a Social Network Analysis of data on the membership of the various committee and governance structures. This evaluation sought to answer questions covering economic self-determination, social cohesion, and partnering for community-led outcomes. The approach adopted, in consultation with the CLC, sought to be culturally appropriate and acceptable to Aboriginal people and was designed to meet the ethical standards for evaluation established by the Australian Evaluation Society. 

The report found that the Programs have clearly produced outcomes valued by Aboriginal people. These have included: the generation of employment opportunities; enhanced training and education outcomes; skills development; improved childcare, youth engagement, cultural strengthening and maintenance; and enhanced health and overall well-being for kidney patients. The review team also concluded that the Community Development Unit (CDU), which implements the Community Development Program within the CLC, is a highly cost-effective operation given the outcomes achieved. The report makes a total of 20 recommendations for the CDU, the Governance Project and the CLC more broadly.