AIG Remote Laundries project
Building stronger communities through washing
AIG’s off grid solution will ensure we are able to deliver our Remote Laundries to any community, anywhere in Australia.
Problem
Remote Aboriginal communities are disproportionately impacted by scabies, which can lead to acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Housing challenges including lack of access to utilities such as reliable power, hot water, and washing facilities make it difficult to keep parasites and bacteria under control.
Remote Aboriginal communities in northern Australia have the world’s highest prevalence of skin sores with more than 80% of children affected by their first birthday. Repeated infections lead to secondary complications including acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, with the result being that 98% of people living with RHD in the NT are Indigenous.
Solution
Despite the Remote Laundries Project’s success to date, our expansion into very remote communities and those without reliable access to power/water has been challenging and expensive. These communities include but are not limited to Lajamanu, Yarralin, Tiwi Islands, Wadeye, Borroloola, Gunbalanya and Umbakumba.
We are proposing to develop a 100% off-the-grid fully self-contained solution leveraging solar power and water recycling technology. Ultimately, this will allow the laundry unit to be delivered to any community or homelands across Australia, including in very remote areas without access to services. This solution will also reduce expenses for the community and AIG (no power / water bills).
Meet the team
Impact
In 2020 AIG, with our partner KPMG, undertook a cost/benefit analysis assessing the impact of the Remote Laundries Project. The review demonstrated that every dollar AIG invested in the Remote Laundries Project delivered $6 in cost savings for the healthcare system. AIG Remote Laundries deliver tangible action and impact on the four priority reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap:
1. Formal Partnerships and Shared Decision Making
The project demonstrates strong partnerships with Indigenous communities, as it was created by Traditional Owners and is 100% Indigenous owned and operated. First Nations representatives are involved in decisionmaking at all stages, ensuring cultural appropriateness and community input. Our detailed community consultation ensures we deliver a laundry that is purpose built and operated for each community it is delivered to. This process often takes up to 12 months and engages Aboriginal Corporations operating in the community, health clinics, councils and schools.
2. Building the Community-Controlled Sector
Recognises Indigenous communities’ right to self-determination and supports capability building by creating employment opportunities and providing training in maintenance, customer service and educational workshops on health, conducted in culturally appropriate ways.
3. Transforming Government Organisations
The project promotes government responsiveness and accountability to First Nations communities. Continuous monitoring and improvement mechanisms are in place, supported by the Remote Laundries Social Impact Framework, developed and being delivered in partnership with the Heart Foundation, Flinders University and CSIRO.
4. Shared Access to Data and Information at a Regional Level
Data sharing is transparent, involving First Nations Communities in collection and dissemination, ensuring community control over what is measured and valued. Remote Laundries collects data on # of cycles, operating capacity and delivery, staff recruitment/retention/attendance. As we operationalise the Social Impact Framework, we will also be collecting data including infection rates, school attendance and qualitative data around general health and wellbeing.
Funding
AIG is seeking $1,005,081 to build, implement and monitor a pilot 100% off grid Remote Laundry in our Casuarina community, in order to test its effectiveness and durability for remote Aboriginal communities.
The project will be staged in 4 phases and it is expected to be completed by 1 December 2026.
Phase 1: 30 May 2025 - $50,000
- Finalise design and documentation for pilot plant development, lodge DA
Phase 2: 1 July 2025 - $643,405 (Phase 2 & 3)
- Commence build of pilot plant
Phase 3: 30 November 2025
- Completion of build and pilot plant is operational
Phase 4: 1 December 2025 - $311,676
- Commence 12 month monitoring of pilot plant to ensure effectiveness of solar/water recycling and that it is fit for remote communities.
Project completion by 1 December 2026.
Supported by
Collaborative efforts between organisations like ours and the Heart Foundation are crucial in addressing the heart health crisis in the Northern Territory. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of our First Nations people and the broader community.
Liz Morgan-Brett, CEO
Aboriginal Investment Group
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