David Lans from the remote community of Kintore, Northern Territory

Mar 24, 2015, 07:57 AM

Originally from Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, David Lans moved to Kintore, 520 kilometres west of Alice Springs, in a bid to gain employment in nearby mines and start his own earthmoving business.

He is keen to help the people of Kintore become self-sufficient.

"I'm looking to do some community work as well, in parks and gardens, building a community centre and a recording studio as well," he said.

Because of the Kintore's remoteness, infrastructure in the town is limited and the cost of food and water is high.

Mr Lans said he is well aware of the disadvantages facing small communities and wanted local Aboriginal people to run their own businesses.

"There are things we can change for the better," he said.

"We can have our own parks, we can have our own gardens, grow our own vegetables, we can start fish farms and make everything here," he said.

"We can do courses and training.

"We can run this community ourselves."

Mr Lans, who receives unemployment benefits, admitted much of the Kintore community is reliant on government benefits.

"It's been going on for years. They've been doing the Centrelink thing," he said.

"There's been no courses. They're just throwing money, which is the wrong thing.

"If they (the Federal Government) wants us to succeed, they need to help and understand our ways.

"Australia is like a house, not built on strong foundations.

"Australia's going to continue losing money if they don't help all Australians.

"Once they help all, we'll be a great nation."