By Rich Bowden:

The Australian Government has signalled its intention to assist the development of its near neighbours’ water infrastructure  by funding a multi-million dollar program to improve people’s access to an adequate water supply and sanitation facilities.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, last week oversaw the signing of agreements between the Indonesian Ministry of Finance and local governments that have been chosen to participate in an Australian funded water supply and sewerage project.

Ambassador Farmer, with Indonesia’s Minister for Public Works, Djoko Kirmanto, were at the signing ceremony which will see 60,000 households in Indonesia connected to a piped water system and provide 10,000 more homes access to sewerage systems.

The A$25 million (US$21.6 million) program will look to assist poorer households in Indonesia  who currently lack access to an adequate water supply and sanitation facilities, said Mr Farmer in an June 18 Australian embassy press release.

“This initiative will give about 480,000 Indonesians ready access to cleaner water and better sanitation, helping people stay healthier and more productive,” said Mr Farmer. “We are pleased to be contributing to Indonesia’s efforts to improve access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation,” he said.

The Jakarta Post quoted Minister Kirmanto as saying funding would only be made available to the communities once local authorities had developed their own clean water and sewerage infrastructure.

“The local governments are expected to provide a clean water supply service and good sanitation for their communities,” he said adding that “this disbursement is output based, and this is the first time we have ever used this kind of approach.”

The Australian embassy said the main beneficiaries of the funding project would be cities and districts in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara and Sulawesi.

It added work on the project will begin in partnership with 25 local governments from next month, with the likelihood that ten other governments will join the project later this year.

“Australia is also providing support to local governments to effectively manage community water supply and sanitation programs to ensure gains in access are sustainable,” the statement added.

Tags: ausaid, indonesia australia, overseas aid australia, sanitation, water australia, water indonesia