The Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) works to secure sustainable livelihoods for communities of Indigenous people through appropriate technology. CAT provides information, knowledge and practical services across a range of areas including energy, housing and infrastructure, water, waste, telecommunications, transport and technical skills development. CAT utilises evidence based and applied problem solving approaches to assist communities of Indigenous people to access the information, services and skills required to live safe and happy lives.
Latest NEWS
New Report: Indigenous Perceptions of Home Ownership
In 2007 CAT was commissioned by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) to undertake a study of its Home Loan Clients in the Northern Territory and Queensland. The study sought to undertand the perceptions and attitudes of IBA clients in relation to home ownership.
The Report - Perceptions of Home Ownership among IBA Home Loan Clients - by Anna Szava and Mark Moran can be downloaded here
It is also available from the IBA website at http://www.iba.gov.au/publications/
Latest Our Place Magazine now available
Our Place Number 31 is now available. Feature articles include Healthier Dogs Healthier Communities and an overview of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
You can download the magazine here. You can subscribe to receive a hard copy here.
BUSH TECH 37 - Smart desert gardening and BUSH TECH 38 - Windmills for Water Pumping can be downloaded here.
New Reseach reports from the Desert Knowledge CRC
Two new Research Reports are now available from the DKCRC website.
CAT was Project Leader for the research undertaken at the Engawala community in the Northern Territory that explored the application of the sustainable livelihoods approach to understanding the flow of resources within a community.
DKCRC Research Report 28: Transformation of Assets by M.Moran, A.Wright, P.Renehan, A.Szava, E.Rich & N. Beard.
CAT was also a partner organisation, along with FaHCSIA (lead agency), and the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment in the Remote Community Water Management Project. The project researched the application of a risk management approach to small water supplies in 5 communities - two in SA, one in the NT, one in WA and one in QLD.
DKCRC Research Report 27: Remote Community Water Management by Robyn Grey-Gardner
Review of CDEP
CAT's submission to the Northern Territory Government on the review of the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) can be downloaded here.
The Desert Peoples Centre April Newsletter
Find out about what's happening with this important initiative of the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education.
Download the Newsletter here
Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O'Connor visits CAT
The Minister visited CAT on Monday 21st April to launch CAT's 2008 Structured Employment and Training Projects (STEP) program. This year CAT will be supporting six Indigenous employees gain skills and qualifications as trainers and assessors (Certificate IV in Training and Assessment) IT technicians and financial services officers. This builds on CAT's 2007 successful program which has seen a further seven Indigenous staff acquire skills in a range of areas including Business, administration and training.
CAT STEP particpants with Minister Brendan O'Connor and Minister Warren Snowden
CAT submission to Minister Conroy re the National Broadband Network
Most initiatives in the area of extending broadband services overlook the vast majority of remote Indigenous communities. This submission argues for consideration of alternate terrestrial infrastructure to extend broadband services to remote communities where possible, and the subsidation of remote community based satellite served internet facilities to enable greater download rates and data access.
Download the Submission here
Desert Peoples Centre represented at the Central Australian Business Expo
The Desert Peoples Centre, along with Desert Knowledge CRC, Desert Knowledge Australia, Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education and The Centre for Appropriate Technology (as part of the DPC booth), were all represented at the Central Australian Business Expo held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre on Feb 29 to March 1. The expo presented a good opportunity to promote awareness among the general public of the work of these organisations.
Photo: Keith Castle talks to a member of the public at the Desert Peoples Centres booth at the Central Australian Business Expo.
Driving Tomorrows Indigenous Housing Agenda
What will be the key drivers for sustainable Indigenous housing into the future? Bruce Walker, CAT's CEO, outlines the challenges and the opportunities in a new approach.
Download the paper.
Tomorrow is Today: A Paper by Dr Bruce W Walker presented to the 2007 National Indigenous Housing Conference held in Alice Springs, October 2007.
The Imparja Cup is being held this week in Alice Springs
Indigenous cricket teams converge on Alice Springs this week for the Imparja Cup.
Photos: CAT's Womens team participate in the Imparja Cup at Flynn Drive Oval.
New Thinking on Remote Indigenous Housing
Bruce Walker, CAT'S CEO, reflects on past efforts and future directions in Indigenous housing and economic development.
Download the paper
The Emperor's New Clothes: paper presented at the Northern Territory Indigenous Housing Workshop. Darwin. 2006. By Dr Bruce W Walker.
Our Place Magazine
CAT produces Our Place Magazine three times per year. The magazine features articles and discusses issues affecting people and technology in remote communities. You can download the latest issue - Our Place Number 30 - here.
Past issues can be downloaded by clicking on the Our Place tab on the right hand menu and you can also subscribe to receive hard copies of the magazine.
CAT's prototype fireguard for camp fires
CAT has designed a prototype fire guard for camp fires with the aim of providing protection from rolling into burning embers when sleeping outside. The prototype fireguard was developed in response to requests from NPY Women's Council and Frontier Services who are collaborating on developing an aged care facility in
The prototype will now be tested and monitored for effectiveness and any necessary improvements incorporated into the design.
For further information about the fire guard contact Marc Seidel at CAT Alice Springs on 08 89514326
Winning Tender for Desert Peoples Centre
On Jan 31, NT Minister for Central Australia Elliot McAdam attended the Desert Knowledge Precinct to announce that Sitzler Bros has been awarded the contract to construct the eleven buildings in Stage 1b of the Desert Peoples Centre.
When completed the Desert Peoples Centre will provide a single Alice Springs campus for the education, training and service activities of the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) and Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE).
This winning tender is the largest to date on the Desert Knowledge Precinct, costing approximately $10 Million. Along with the stage 1a construction that is now nearing completion we are witnessing the development of state of the art facilities for education and training of Aboriginal people with the particular vision of achieving positive livelihood outcomes.
Photo: Mr Harold Furber, Deputy chair of Desert Knowledge Australia, shakes hands with the Minister for Housing, Mr Elliot McAdam, after he announces the winning tender for stage 1b construction on the Desert Peoples Centre.
Funding for Computers in Indigenous Communities
The Centre for Appropriate Technology is a Regional Agent for the Commonwealth 
Government's Backing Indigenous Ability Program. CAT will be working with communities in the southern half of the Northern Territory and North and West Queensland.
The program can provide funds for communities to access computer packages, training,videoconferencing facilities and online web content development. CAT's role is to help communities assess what their needs are and apply for funding.
Download the Information brochure for further information or contact Andrew Crouch at CAT on (08) 8951 4325.
Training Courses commencing February 4th 2008
Courses commencing Monday 4 February at CAT in Alice Springs include:
- Certificate I in Automotive
- Certificate I in Applied Design and Technology
- Introduction to Business and Computing
Short courses in welding and car servicing will be starting in March. The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment will also be commencing soon.
CAT delivers training onsite in communities and we are looking for expressions of interest from communities NOW.
Download the 2008 Course Guide and contacts
Long serving and highly skilled
CAT's Board has a number of longserving members who were recently acknowledged for their decade(s) of service to the organisation and Aboriginal people across Australia. James Bray, Chairman of the CAT Board has dedicated almost 20 years to guiding the organisation. The stability of the Board and the skills and knowledge they contribute is a hallmark of CAT's success in its work with communities of Indigenous people.
James is pictured here with Bruce Walker, CAT CEO, giving a speech at the presentation evening
Camel proof fence trial success!
A camel proof fence designed by CAT in association with Greening Australia has been successfully trialled at a rockhole near Santa Teresa. It has proven effective in keeping camels from damaging and dirtying the water and environs. Plans are underway to scale up the deployment of the fence across the desert regions being affected by increasing numbers of feral camels. In 2008 CAT will be working with Greening Australia to provide technical training on installing and maintaining the fences.
