Fortnightly news in brief from Jabiru, Warruwi, Minjilang, Maningrida and Gunbalanya Edition 334 19 June - 2 July 2015 [email protected] 08 8979 9465 Published by West Arnhem Regional Council CENTRE OF ATTENTION INSIDE THIS EDITION NEW SUB ROADS SUB PAR Roads built by the NT Govt in a new Maningrida subdivision are substandard, says Councillor. PAGE 3 > SUPERSTARS SHINE IN JABIRU Contestants do battle on the mic for the coveted 2015 Jabiru Superstar karaoke title. PAGE 9 > NEW INTERPRETIVE CENTRE FOR INJALAK ARTS COMMUNITY CARE FEATURE NT Chief Minister Adam Giles tries his hand at fabric screenprinting during the official opening of a new Interpretive Centre at the Injalak Arts Centre in Gunbalanya on Wednesday 10 June. FULL STORY, PAGE 7 >> ERA SHELVES EXPANSION PLANS HE future of uranium mining in the ERA has not mined uranium at Ranger since Kakadu region has been all but ruled 2012 and has struggled to turn a profit since Tout after Energy Resources of Australia the collapse of the ore price following the Council’s Home and Community Care staff share stories about (ERA) announced it would not go ahead with Fukushima meltdown in 2011. their valuable work in Gunbalanya. PAGE 10 > its proposed Ranger 3 Deeps underground The board cited low uranium prices as a key expansion. factor in its decision, saying the market had not MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 10 > In its statement to the Australian Stock improved as expected, and said it was looking A NEW INNINGS FOR CRICKET Exchange (ASX) on Thursday 11 June the to Rio Tinto to support rehabilitation of the site. mining company said it would not proceed “ERA has engaged with its major shareholder, BOMBERS KNOCK OFF BANKS to the final feasibility study for 3 Deeps “in Rio Tinto, regarding funding support for the current operating environment”, instead rehabilitation, should additional funding angling to extend the Ranger Authority beyond ultimately be required,” The Board said in its 2021 cut-off in order to revisit the financial statement. viability of the project at a later date. “ERA has also commenced discussions with While the Ranger mine was always representatives of the Traditional Owners and scheduled to close in 2021, the announcement the Commonwealth Government regarding a sent shockwaves through the town of Jabiru, possible extension to the Ranger Authority.” established in 1982 to service the mine, with However, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal local business owners questioning the long- Corporation, which represents the interests BombersThe sound score of leathera top victory on willow over Banksis once in again echoing term viability of the town. of the Mirrar people, PAGE 15 > CONTINUED PAGE 5 >> theacross 200th Jabiru’s game Arnhem for No. Oval. 23, Mickitja West Arnhem Wire - Fortnightly news in brief from Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Warruwi and Minjilang 2 WHAT’S ON out n about If you have an upcoming event you would like to see listed in this space please phone Mark at The Wire on 8979 9465 or email [email protected]. Celebrate Territory Day on July 1 with a free family barbecue, fireworks, and a celebration cake at the Jabiru Sports & Social Club. JUNE Sat 20 JUICE Market Day, stalls $5, book at WARC Jabiru office, Jabiru Town Plaza 9am-12pm Wed 24 WARC Finance & Policy Committee meeting At the Bärra Band / Black Arm Band gig in Gunbalanya on Tuesday 26 May are (left to right) Rodriguez Council Chambers Jabiru 10am “Pin Pin” Wilson, Pearl Nabegeyo, Kayla Nagurrgurrba, Jenean Nabegeyo and Ashely Nayilibidj with Thu 25 Yoga, $15 Jabiru Community Hall 6.15pm Romina Scarcelli (front). Romina, an accountant from Argentina, is currently in Australia on a working Fri 26-Sat 27 Pine Creek Goldrush Festival holiday visa, doing the “working” bit with the West Arnhem Regional Council. Sat 27-Sun28 Action Pistol Jabiru Open, Jabiru Pistol Club, 8am-1.30pm Sat, 8.30am-1.30pm Sun Tue 30 Gunbalanya Local Authority meeting, WARC office Gunbalanya 10am LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Mondays Yoga, $15 Jabiru Community Hall 6.15pm ANY years ago I and Keith published a book stories (ones that are not Tuesdays Jabiru Mixed Netball JSSC courts 6pm lived with a man Crocodile Hunt about their recorded in Willey’s book) Tuesdays Jabiru Art & Craft Group, Wurdurd Youth M by the name of Bill time spent there. but there are lots more Centre Leichhardt St 7.30pm Dean who had been an old However Bill never untold and I am trying to Tuesdays Playgroup, Jabiru Lake Park 9.30-11am buffalo and crocodile hunter/ received any recognition for record what I can for mine Wednesdays Junior Soccer, Magela Oval 6.00pm shooter out your region. his part in the book and he and Bill’s son, Joshua. Thursdays Pick the Joker Jabiru Golf Club 6.30pm He partnered up with has since passed on. I became aware recently Thursdays Pool comp $100 Jabiru Golf Club 6.30pm Keith Willey in the early 60s I am aware of a lot of Bill’s that there is a waterhole Thursdays Membership Draw, JSSC from 7.30pm named after Bill Dean and Fridays Meat tray raffle, JSSC have been given a contact Pool comp, $10 entry, winner takes all, for a person there who Fridays GUNBALANYA SPORTS knew Bill back in the 60s. every player goes into draw to win $200 at the end Bill worked for Allan of the month, JSSC & SOCIAL CLUB Stewart at Nourlangie Sundays Sunday Brunch, Kakadu Lodge 9am-12pm munity club! Safari Camp and also had 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month Lunch & ed com his own camp where he icens Membership Wheel, win meat trays etc., JSSC ur l stayed with some local Sundays Roast buffet, Aurora Kakadu South Alligator Yo Indigenous men by the 5-8.30pm name of Young Nym, Nugget, Toby and a few others. JULY Can you help in any Wed 1 Territory Day, Free family BBQ, Fireworks, way as to where I can Cutting of the Celebration Cake, JSSC approach to find out any Wed 1 Maningrida Local Authority meeting, WARC information about Bill, the office Maningrida 10am • Bar hours areas in which he worked Wed 8 West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC) Ordinary Tues & Wed 4:30 - 7:30pm or the people who worked Council Meeting, Council Chambers Jabiru 9am with him? Tue 14 Warruwi Local Authority meeting Council Fri & Sat 5:30 - 8:30pm Any information at all would be greatly Office Warruwi 10am • Closed Sun, Mon & Thurs appreciated, as our son Sat 18 Adelaide River Music Muster missed out all these times Wed 22 WARC Audit Committee meeting Council • Snack food available all times and now, with Bill passing Chambers Jabiru 1pm • Hamburgers and steaks Fri & Sat a few years ago, the stories will go unrecorded unless • Mid-strength & light beers, soft drink juices & water I can do this. AUGUST Thanks. Wed 12 WARC Ordinary Council meeting Council • 9 clean & tidy self-contained units Chambers Jabiru 9am Sharron Capes Wed 15 Kakadu Groove, Lake Jabiru Park ph 8979 0168 fax 8979 0134 If you have any information on Bill Dean e [email protected] you would like to share, please write to Mon 31 Entries due, MERGS fishing comp 10-11 Sharron Capes at [email protected] October, see Killa at Maningrida School e [email protected] or telephone The Wire on (08) 8979 9465 and we’ll pass it on. The West Arnhem Wire | 19 June - 2 July 2015 West Arnhem Wire - Fortnightly news in brief from Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Warruwi and Minjilang 3 SUBDIVISION ROADS ARE JTDA INVESTMENT LOOKS TO THE SUBSTANDARD: COUNCILLOR TOWN’S FUTURE THE Jabiru Town Development Authority (JTDA) is investing $1.65 million into the future sustainability of the town, with upgrades to the electricity network, water supply, sewerage, and other critical infrastructure. JTDA Acting Chairman Peter Wilson the Authority was working in partnership with Power and Water Corporation (PWC) and West Arnhem Regional Council (WARC) to ensure smooth delivery of the upgrades. “Significant progress has already been made with this program of works, which will contribute to the long-term viability of Jabiru as a regional centre,” he said. “Jabiru’s infrastructure was mainly constructed in the late 70s and early 80s, and due to limited replacement and upgrade programs over the years, many of our assets are now reaching the end of Councillor Matthew Ryan shows where one section of the road in the new subdivision has washed away. their economic life. BELOW: The lack of any drainage means rainwater is undermining the bitumen seal along road edges. “Parts of Jabiru’s electricity network are ageing and have become unreliable, ONCERNS are being Cr Ryan said. “Roads like this would and are in urgent need of an upgrade.” raised about poor “Without drains, water not be acceptable in a Jabiru has an island power network Cquality roads rolled just flows through here like new housing division in that is isolated from the Darwin- out as part of a Northern a river in the Wet.” Darwin,” Cr Ryan said. Katherine grid. Territory Government Cr Ryan said one “Because we live in Electricity is generated by the Ranger subdivision in Maningrida. Maningrida resident living a remote community Mine power station, which is owned Elected member of West in the subdivision had here in Maningrida the and operated by Energy Resources of Arnhem Regional Council’s water “six inches deep” government thinks it can Australia (ERA), while the electricity Maningrida Ward, running through his house. get away with it.” network is owned by JTDA and operated Councillor Matthew Ryan, The roads are part of by PWC.