The Docker River project is particularly complex due to the remote location and extreme conditions. “It’s a desert environment, so we’re using modular buildings constructed in Alice Springs,” Hubbard explains. The project has a tight timeline, with only a very short window to transport and assemble the modules. Another innovative initiative that ARRCS has pioneered is the development of sensory rooms specifically designed for First Nations residents with dementia or behavioral issues. These rooms feature videos and sounds that resonate with the local population’s cultural experiences. “The videos are orchestrated by First Nations people, showing things like water running on Uluru or digging Witchetty Grubs,” Hubbard describes. These sensory rooms have proven incredibly effective in calming residents and providing comfort to those in palliative care who cannot be on their traditional lands.“It’s a way for us to bring country to them,” says Hubbard, emphasizing the profound impact these rooms have had on the residents’ well-being. OVERCOMING CHALLENGES Despite its many successes, ARRCS faces significant challenges, particularly workforce management. “Workforce is a huge issue everywhere, especially in regional and remote NT,” Hubbard acknowledges. The pandemic exacerbated these challenges, particularly in Alice Springs, where ARRCS once relied on agency nurses for 21 out of 24 positions. “That was horrifically expensive,” Hubbard notes, adding that the situation was unsustainable in the long term. However, through a concerted effort to recruit and retain staff, ARRCS has reduced its dependence on agency nurses, making its operations more sustainable. Accommodation for staff is another critical issue, particularly in remote areas where housing is scarce and often expensive. In response, ARRCS recently received a $6.4 million grant to develop staff housing 17 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL AND REMOTE COMMUNITY SERVICES (ARRCS)
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