Oongkalkada - Centre for Sustainable Living

Our goal is to develop a centre that will provide skills, knowledge and awareness for emerging Indigenous Communities/outstations/new homelands looking at ways to establish their communities for future sustainability using alternative applications of power and water and the establishment of ventures for the focus of sustainability, life style and profit. <p>
The enterprise will hold a sustainable community development focus and provide research and training for Indigenous governance in the areas of:<p><ul>
<li>Sustainable Community Governance</li>
<li>Permaculture/Agriculture</li>
<li>Aquaculture</li>
<li>Land management/Ranger training</li>
<li>Cultural Tourism</li>
</ul>
Key business development hubs also exist to develop the potential of economic development<p>
<ul>
<li>Fodder Factory (wheat grass feed)</li>
<li>Waste Water Garden (cut flower industry)</li>
<li>Produce Cooperative (aquaculture, beef cattle production and market garden)</li>
<li>Tourism</li>
</ul>
<b>Location of the enterprise</b><p>
A core base for the operation is at Udialla Springs, traditionally known as Oongkalkada, a 1214ha property on 10 freehold titles and one special agricultural leasehold title located approximately 120Km South East of Derby, WA by gazetted road.<p>
<b>The Personnel at hand</b><p>
Many local Nyikina and Mangala people have the skills and knowledge related to the land and its history.<p>
There are new and emerging technologies that complement this traditional Indigenous knowledge base and skilled and experienced trainers are available to team with the Nyikina and Mangala people and provide for a foundation manager-trainer team to develop.<p>
<b>The Experience</b><p>
This core knowledge and the educational aspect of Aboriginal lifestyles coupled with contemporary sustainable living principles and philosophies bring together similar world views and provide the basis for the training centre.<p>
<b>The Model</b><p>
The conversion of traditional Aboriginal ways and key sustainable living principles form the model will provide the basis for the training centre.
Training will be appropriate for Indigenous learners and reality based to ensure practical application.<p>
<b>The Industries</b><p>
<b>1. Fodder</b><p>
The pastoral industry, particularly beef cattle production industry in the Kimberley has a strong demand for fresh fodder to be made available during development of cattle and primarily close to export. <p>
The property has easy access to the Great Northern Highway and can provide fresh fodder to the cattle yards in Broome, to provide feed for cattle as they are ready for export.<p>
<b>2. Cut Flowers</b><p>
The local cut flower industry is an emerging industry in the region. The demand from eastern states to provides out of season cut flowers is high. With the increase in direct air transport between Broome Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, cut flowers can be delivered fresh the same day as harvest providing an easily marketable product.<p>
<b>3. Produce cooperative</b><p>
Large enterprises have targeted the export market for their produce, shipping all seafood, beef and crops out of the region to capitalise on the export industries. This has determined a niche market that is in high demand for fresh local produce. There is s strong demand for local produce both in the major towns of Broome and derby and in neighbouring Indigenous communities.<p>
<b>4. Tourism</b><p>
Australian Tourist Commission research shows the tourism industry is only meeting half of the market demand for Indigenous tourism experiences. International visitors are clearly interested in experiencing there cultures but, at this stage, our tourism industry has not been able to develop sufficient Indigenous tourism product to meet that demand. Visitors are particularly interested in learning, experiencing and interacting with Aboriginal people, with authenticity an important aspect of the experience. <p>
<b>Natural resources</b><p>
The property has a natural potential for the enterprise to develop.<p>
<b>Tourism</b><p>
The property has 9Km of Fitzroy River frontage and mineral springs. The banks of the Fitzroy River are in abundance of wildlife ranging from finches to storks and pelicans, crocodiles, barramundi, cherabin. The fauna is spectacular and as ancient as the dinosaurs. Bush tucker is still in abundance and widely sought after following traditional hunting and gathering ways. Fresh mineral springs align the property offering a cool haven from the hot tropical sun.<p>
<b>Permaculture, Aquaculture, Beef Cattle Production and Fodder Factory</b><p>
An abundant source of the highest quality water and nutrient rich soil is a key asset to the property.<p>
There are five shallow water, fully cased bores on the property, with the main deep aquifer bore operational at present. The water from these bores has been analysed and found to be rich in minerals and at the highest quality, it is actually marketable as bottled water.<p>
There is no need to add to the soil composition for the development of aquaculture ponds and market gardens. The mineral springs provide a rich soil abundant in nutrients and perfect for market gardens. High quality gravel and clay is available on site to ensure that aquaculture ponds can be established to the best standard for water retention.<p>
<b>Cut Flower Industry</b><p>
There is a huge variety of wild flowers on the property that could be propagated for the cut flower venture. The sub-tropical climate also provides for exotics to be easily cultivated.