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🇦🇺 Australia /Elections & Politics

Land rights shake-up for remote Top End, with creation of new council

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • A prominent Yolŋu leader, Djawa Yunupiŋu, announced the formation of a new, independent land council in Australia's Northern Territory.
  • The Dilak Land Council aims to empower his people by giving them direct control over economic development decisions, bypassing the existing Northern Land Council (NLC).
  • This move, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, seeks to revitalize the region and foster direct business partnerships, especially as the area faces the closure of its main employer, a Rio Tinto mine.

A significant shift in the Northern Territory's land rights system was announced by powerful Yolŋu leader Djawa Yunupiŋu, who revealed the creation of a breakaway remote land council. Speaking at the Garma Festival, Yunupiŋu declared the formation of the Dilak Land Council, a move designed to drive direct economic development for his people.

We are going to the top of the mountain.

— Djawa YunupiŋuYunupiŋu announced the creation of the new land council.

Yunupiŋu stated, "We are going to the top of the mountain." The new Dilak Land Council is intended to place economic development decision-making power directly into the hands of the Yolŋu people, moving it away from the Northern Land Council (NLC), which currently oversees numerous communities across the Top End. "It will be the power for our future," he asserted, adding that the NLC was established by elders with the foresight that power would eventually return fully to landowners.

The announcement comes during the 50th anniversary of the federal Aboriginal Land Rights Act, passed in 1966. Yunupiŋu made his declaration in front of notable figures, including Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. The NLC has faced criticism for perceived delays in issuing land tenure permits for businesses and for its control over the distribution of mining royalties.

It will be the power for our future.

— Djawa YunupiŋuHe described the significance of the new council for his people's future.

Yunupiŋu expressed his hope that the Dilak Land Council, representing 13 clan groups of the Gove Peninsula, will enable direct engagement with companies seeking to conduct business on Yolŋu land. "The Dilak council will give new life to the land and the people," he said. "It will work with the government, and mining companies, and any company who wants to do business with us."

The Dilak council will give new life to the land and the people.

— Djawa YunupiŋuYunupiŋu expressed his vision for the impact of the new council.

This initiative by Yunupiŋu's Gumatj Corporation, which has been active in developing businesses like a timber mill, furniture business, and a remote launch site, comes as the northeast Arnhem region faces economic uncertainty with the planned closure of the Rio Tinto bauxite mine in 2029. Yunupiŋu emphasized a collaborative approach, stating, "We will work in partnership with the Northern Land Council, for the people. We will be a part of the economic life of this nation, while never losing who we are, and what we stand for."

We will work in partnership with the Northern Land Council, for the people.

— Djawa YunupiŋuHe outlined a collaborative approach with the existing land council.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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