Who We Are
Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA) was established to support education, research and collaboration to drive better outcomes for desert people.
Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA) is a statutory corporation of the Northern Territory. Established in 2003, DKA’s purpose is to support learning, education, research and training. DKA manages the 73ha Desert Knowledge Precinct and works to find collaborative approaches to improve economic and social outcomes for people living in remote Australia.
The Precinct
The Desert Knowledge Precinct (DKP) is a learning and for-purpose working environment, located on Arrernte land, in a natural bush setting, 9 kms south of the Alice Springs CBD. The DKP established through an Indigenous Land Use Agreement between DKA, NT Government, Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation and the Central Land Council is managed by DKA in collaboration with the Desert People’s Centre, a joint venture of the Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) and the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CfAT).
DKA’s operations are located in the Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), a sophisticated office facility at the Desert Knowledge Precinct. It was designed by award-winning architects and has state-of-the-art meeting rooms, conference spaces, private office space, co-working office space and hot-desk hire.
Our work is focused on supporting collaboration and facilitating opportunities to improve outcomes for people living in remote areas. DKA’s Strategic Plan prioritises Precinct development and increased utilisation of its assets and supporting collaborative approaches to impactful desert research, accelerating the roll-out of renewable energy and improving economic and social outcomes of remote service delivery.
Our Vision
Our vision is to ‘share our place on-country to innovate and progress sustainability and social wellbeing for desert and arid communities’.
DKA works with the people, communities, organisations, businesses and government agencies of Central Australia who share our vision for strong resilient remote communities, to form partnerships, opportunities, and delivery of projects that bring tangible value to the desert region.
DKA facilitates innovative projects that:
- Promote social wellbeing and positive change for our region
- Aim to achieve climate-adaptive, resilient remote communities
- Explore and deliver technology relevant to sustainable desert living
- Create research opportunities that support economic growth