Report to Members on Visit to Top End Communities
We were invited to meet with the Tiwi Land Council who told us how they lease the largest of their three communities (Nguiu) to the Commonwealth for 99 years. In return, they were paid substantial rent ($5 Million) in advance for 15 years and obtained many other benefits. They are using that rent to fund Aboriginal businesses paid for by money from the rent and low interest loans from IBA with the businesses being checked out and certified by Deloittes Accountants. The businesses include: car hire, cement mixing, Tiwi tours, forestry and they have plans for a supermarket, several specialty shops and more. The people have created over 84 paid Aboriginal jobs through business, more than the Tiwi Shire which is struggling, despite its $23 Million budget.
Leaders and Leaders Meeeting
The first APY Leaders and Leaders meeting took place in Adelaide on 11 February 2010 in Minister Holloway’s office.
South Australian State Ministers present were: Jay Weatherill (Aboriginal Affairs), Paul Holloway (Minerals Resources and Planning), Jennifer Rankine (Housing Families and Communities) and John Hill (Health and Arts). APY was represented by myself, Jamie Nyaningu, Anton Baker, Leonard Burton and Rex Tjami. John Singer also attended at my request representing NHC.
The meeting was preceded by a very successful workshop the previous day with PIRSA and the mining companies operating on the Lands, all of which gave a commitment to work with, and help Anangu get the most out of the opportunities presented by mining and oil exploration on the Lands.
The most important things to come out of the Leaders and Leaders meeting was strong commitment by government to support Anangu leadership in making a better life on the Lands.
The roads on the APY Lands are in significant need of urgent maintenance. There are many washouts, corrugations, dips, etc.
Additionally, there are a large number of feral animals including donkeys and camels that wander the Lands. Their numbers seem to increase in the hot and dry times of the year (October - February) when they are looking for water.
Drivers are advised to take extreme precaution when driving on the APY Lands.
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