Raymattja Marika Member East Arnhem Regional Development Board

Speech Notes: East Arnhem Regional Development Board Update

The Honourable John Ah Kit, distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. Chair Overview My name is Raymattja Marika and I am a member of the East Arnhem Regional Development Board and I have been asked to provide their report at the State of the Regions Conference.

The East Arnhem Regional Development Board has been in operation from February this year. The Board has been charged with facilitating regional development including the preparation of a regional plan, which will be the vehicle for negotiating initiatives across the East Arnhem Region to improve economic and social outcomes for all residents in the region.

Sadly our inaugural Chairman recently passed away, however the process for finding a new Chair is underway and hopefully will be finalised soon.

2. Membership of the Board The Board is made up of a cross section of people from around the region who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and who give their time for the betterment of people black and white in the East Arnhem Region.

The East Arnhem Regional Development Board Membership is as follows:

• Mr Tony Wurramarrba, Chairman, Anindilyakwa Land Council • Mr Klaus Helms, General Manager Community Affairs, ALCAN Gove • Mr Samuel Numamurdirdi, Chairman, Numbulwar Numburindi Community Government Council • Mrs Denise Fincham, General Manager, GIS Industries • Mr Mike Hindle, Town Administrator, Corporation • Mr Oscar Datjarranga, General Manager, Marthakal Homeland Resource Centre • Mr David Suter, General Manager, Gove Pest Control • Mr Gallarrwuy Yunupingu, Chairman, Gumatj Association • And myself Raymattja Marika, Linguist, Community Education Centre

3. Regional Profile/Overview The East Arnhem Region is located in the far north of the , bounded by the Arafura Sea to the north and the Gulf of Carpentaria in the east and extends from the Blyth to the Rose River. The region covers the Aboriginal Trust (excluding Bulman), an area of approximately 41,000 sq km. It encompasses the towns of Nhulunbuy (also the regional service centre of East Arnhem Land) on the , Alyangula on Groote Eylandt and the major Aboriginal communities of: Angurugu, Galiwin’ku, Gapuwiyak, Marngarr, Milingimbi, Milyakburra, Numbulwar, Ramingining, Umbakumba and Yirrkala.

The East Arnhem Region is unique among the regions in the Northern Territory in that all the land is held in trust by the Aboriginal Land Trust, which is enacted under the Aboriginal Lands Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976

Arnhem Land is a stronghold of traditional Aboriginal culture. There are a number of mining and special purpose leases. No development can occur without the approval and/or involvement of Indigenous people through the relevant Land Councils.

Arnhem Land has a population of around 14,000 of which 56% is Indigenous with most of the Non-Indigenous population living in the two towns of Nhulunbuy and Alyangula. The communities and homelands generally have a poor economic base and limited capacity for growth, which contributes to high unemployment levels and unsatisfactory outcomes in education, health and social welfare. The people of the East Arnhem like other regions in the Northern Territory realise that our young people are our future. However young people in the East Arnhem region have poor educational outcomes, low levels of employment opportunities and also very high incidences of sexually transmitted diseases. We need to act now to give the next generation the opportunities to prosper and develop. Indigenous communities and homelands, like the townships, want solutions to their economic difficulties and are committed to finding practical applications for the betterment of all. This includes sustainable employment and managing substance abuse and enhancing opportunities for their youth. To this end the communities, homelands and townships must work in partnership for a sustainable future.

Mining is currently the primary industry in the region, contributing most to the local economy and is the largest single industry sector employer in the region. Alcan alone exports bauxite and alumina to the value of over $500 million dollars per year and makes a significant contribution to the Northern Territory gross state product.

A major expansion of the Alcan Gove alumina refinery is being proposed together with a Trans Territory gas pipeline. With both of these major projects there will be increased opportunities for indigenous employment and enterprise establishment.

Gemco on Groote Eylandt have recently increased production of manganese and see a long-term future for mining operations on Groote Eylandt. Gemco are committed to working in partnership with traditional owners the Anindilyakwa people for sustainable environmental, economic development.

Arnhem Land is the home of the yidaki (known to other Aborigines as the didgeridoo) and the Indigenous people are master players and craftsmen of this instrument.

Whereas artists from other Arnhem Land regions have moved to painting with acrylic on canvas the artists of North East Arnhem continue to render their sacred designs in the natural media of ochre on bark. This not only reflects the sanctity of their connection with the land they paint but an artistic discipline that is recognised internationally.

Tourist visits to the East Arnhem Region are controlled through the issuing of permits. The Northern and Anndilyakwa Land Councils issue permits for access to the region, and the Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation issues permits for access to the designated recreation use areas around Nhulunbuy and the Gove Peninsula. The relevant organisations and Land Owners issue separate permits for access to other areas. Commercial fishing industry includes commercial pelagic species, barramundi and crab and prawn fishing. At Elizabeth Bay, north of Nhulunbuy there is a pearl farming operation.

There is also recreational fishing, which compliments the majority of tourism operations in the region.

4. Vision of the Board “We will have the highest level of lifestyle, health, education and prosperity for all residents of the East Arnhem Region. Our youth will be given the opportunity to enable them to realise their full potential.”

5. Regional Plans/Status of Planning At the present time the East Arnhem Regional Development Board has completed the Regional Development Plan Discussion Paper. The plan will provide the strategic direction for the economic and social development of the region. The discussion paper is currently being distributed through the communities of the East Arnhem Region. Some possible objectives and strategies have been included in the discussion paper together with some possible projects such as a regional Youth Development Academy and Indigenous Industry Hubs.

With the circulation of this discussion paper we are inviting the community to read the Discussion Paper and provide their views. They are encouraged to provide comment regarding the following:

1. Do the vision and goals reflect the direction we want to head?

2. Are there other significant objectives, strategies and projects that should be included?

3. What objectives, strategies and projects do you think should be actioned as a priority?

It is anticipated that the consultation with the communities across the region will be completed by the end of this year so that the East Arnhem Regional Development Plan will be ready in early 2005. 6. Achievements/Activities of the Board The East Arnhem Regional Development Board in its limited time of operation has achieved 2 significant wins. The Substance Abuse Special Care Centre and an Indigenous Business Liaison Officer from the Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development. The Special Care Centre is currently under construction. The DBIRD position will work with indigenous people who would like start their own businesses and also seize upon any indigenous enterprise opportunities that may arise from the Alcan Gove expansion.

7. Community Consultations/Partnerships Achieved The Substance Abuse Special Care Centre is an example of what can be achieved when individuals, community organisations, industry and Governments work collaboratively.

The Commonwealth and Territory Governments provided capital funding for the construction of the facility which is being project managed by the Nhulunbuy Corporation at no cost and being built on a cleared, serviced block of land provided at no cost by Alcan Gove.

8. Future Regional Priorities The board has identified two major priorities, first and foremost we will focus on our youth, secondly we will need to engage and improve collaboration and communication links with both the Australian and Northern Territory Governments.

Other priorities for social and economic development of the region will be determined by the people of the region as a result of community engagement and consultation and will be identified in the Regional Development Plan.

9. Operational Challenges The East Arnhem Regional Development Board has one major operational challenge compared to other regional development boards. This is the logistical challenge of transporting members from across the region to meetings. Where other boards can drive to their meeting place we need to fly members into Gove. Around one third of our members live in remote communities which requires forward planning to get them to each meeting.

To finish up I would like to say that the members of the East Arnhem Regional Development Board and it’s Departmental support staff are very focused and work well together as a team.