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This paper presents findings of research on remote Indigenous service delivery and Indigenous employment, conducted with the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia. The study was initially undertaken by CAT researchers based in Alice Springs to contribute to a better understanding of factors affecting remote municipal service delivery. This included internal monitoring and evaluation of CAT programs, to achieve a better understanding of management and supervisor views about their service delivery capacities, and to improve waste management planning and employment outcomes in Indigenous communities serviced. Ultimately, this paper aims to draw more general conclusions about the role of the 'Indigenous sector' in remote service delivery and Indigenous employment.

A synthesis of the case study data and relevant literature revealed two key findings about remote service delivery and Indigenous employment. Firstly, it revealed that the character of relationships that link different actors in the chain of remote service delivery - Indigenous community residents, CAT Indigenous employees, organisational managers and supervisors, and government agency representatives - were a key determinant of service delivery capacities on the ground. Secondly, this paper suggests that a 'place-based' employment model with both local community-based work and regional travel may be a desirable option for Indigenous workers, and may contribute to service delivery capacity and Indigenous employment outcomes.

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