The government of Australia has provided community assistance funds totalling pa'anga $1,495,066.00 for 2006-07 compared to pa'anga $1,130,871.68 for the financial year 2005-06.

This assistance is made available through the Tonga Community Development Scheme, which was established to address the needs of the most vulnerable groups in the Tongan community, and the Vulnerability and Adaptation Initiative established to address issues of climate change.

These projects approved by AusAID include the following:

Tonga Community Development Scheme:

- Construction of 170 water tanks

- One village water supply

- 6 agricultural projects

- 3 training programs

- one landfill project

- One road construction pro9ject

- Purchase of one tractor and equipment

- Purchase of 4 fishing boats and equipment.

Ha'apai Development Fund:

- Construction of 49 composting toilets

- Purchase of Industrial Arts equipment for St Josephs College

- 6 agricultural projects

- Purchase of one outboard motor for existing boat

- Purchase of generator and freezer for fishing project

- One piggery fencing project.

Vulnerability and Adaptation Initiative:

An additional amount of $236,137.00 has been approved under this initiative for projects directly addressing climate change issues. Projects receiving approval within these guidelines are as follow:

- One District water supply

- Purchase of 35 relocatable water tanks

- One coastal replanting project

- One recycling bin construction project.

Tonga Central Planning Department, 26/04/07.