It is estimated that more than 400 remote or regional communities in Australia lack access to good quality drinking water, with First Nations communities disproportionately affected.
The Reece Foundation has a commitment to collaborating with First Nations communities to work towards better access to clean water and we are proud to have delivered a customised water infrastructure solution that meets the development needs of the community.
Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Coorporation (MLM) is an independent Indigenous run not-for-profit responsible for taking care of 20,000 square kilometres of diverse land systems in south-central Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.
In order to grow and improve their activities, MLM has established a plan to expand their base of operations - the Mimal Ranger Base -with improving the water infrastructure a key first step.
The Project
As the hub between the two remote communities of Bulman and Weemol, the Mimal Ranger Base not only cares for country through controlled burning, feral animal management and other traditional land management practices, it has become a central meeting place, providing cultural programs, community services and vocational education to the local community.
Maintaining these vital services required reliable water infrastructure. With the hardness of the water reaching extreme levels, equipment and infrastructure were being damaged, creating challenges for the Base.
13 Reece Foundation trade volunteers from across Australia came together in August 2024 to complete this project in two weeks.
The team of volunteers:
Installed four x 27,000L rainwater tanks and catchment infrastructure for drinking water
Created a water treatment solution to access bore water on site, removing calcium and minerals from the water
Built a custom quick-fill tank system for rangers to efficiently load their spray tanks during firefighting and weed control operations
Before designing a solution, the first step was spending time on Country and listening to community. These conversations painted a clear picture of the need for improvements in water infrastructure at the base. The rangers and staff shared that the bore water on base was too ‘hard’ with the mineral content of the water leading to calcium build up which over time was causing damage to pipework and destroying appliances. Additionally, the community shared that rainwater was their preferred drinking water.
Together with IWSH, we co-designed a water solution with Mimal Land Management to ensure it met the development needs of the community and supported the ambitions of their Healthy Country Plan, now, and into the future.
The Outcome
108,000 litres
of rainwater tanks and catchment infrastructure installed for drinking water.
A custom, quick-fill tank system
For rangers to efficiently load their spray tanks during firefighting and weed control operations.
Future infrastucture
A water treatment solution to access bore water, along with water infrastructure around the base for current and future needs.
A better world starts with you.
Every donation helps us and our partners on the ground make real change for the people that need it the most. If you’re a qualified tradie, you can join our list of volunteers to be notified when there's a project that needs your expertise. Have a project idea? Apply for a Reece Foundation Grant to help a community here or overseas.
