CDEP as urban enterprise: The case of Yarnteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation, Newcastle

Abstract

This paper is the most recent in a series of case studies investigating the socioeconomic and policy features characteristic of urban Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) schemes. Yarnteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation is located in Newcastle and has developed a successful enterprise in tandem with the CDEP scheme's more usual employment objectives. The paper describes the innovative employment projects established under Yarnteen's CDEP scheme and the development of its bulk warehousing enterprise. Two main questions are investigated: firstly, what are the identifiable factors involved in Yarnteen's success and, secondly, are there any obstacles impeding that continued success? The factors underwriting success are compared with those described in other urban case studies in order to delineate those critical to local economic outcomes. Finally, the implications for future urban CDEP policy directions and enterprise development are canvassed.