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🇦🇺 Australia /Economy & Trade

NT government official slams housing fund over support for Nhulunbuy businesses amid crisis

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A senior Northern Territory government official criticized a government-funded housing provider for failing to adequately support local small businesses during a housing crisis in Nhulunbuy.
  • Rio Tinto's bauxite mine is set to close in 2029, raising concerns about Nhulunbuy's economic future and a perceived lack of long-term planning.
  • Local business owners report difficulty hiring and retaining staff due to the critical shortage of available housing, impacting their ability to grow.

A senior Northern Territory government official has publicly criticized a government-funded remote housing provider, accusing it of not doing enough to assist small business owners amidst a critical housing shortage in Nhulunbuy. The town faces significant economic uncertainty as Rio Tinto's bauxite mine is scheduled to close in 2029, a transition that has prompted concerns about long-term planning for the region.

We were informed way back when [DEAL] started that they were here to assist and develop business. These days their focus seems to be on tourism.

— Blue DouglasA local business owner expressed frustration with the focus of the economic development agency Developing East Arnhem Land (DEAL).

Developing East Arnhem Land (DEAL), an economic development agency established by the NT government and Rio Tinto, manages 250 local houses intended for businesses to accommodate staff. However, local residents and business owners argue that DEAL's focus has shifted away from supporting local enterprises. Blue Douglas, who runs several small businesses in Nhulunbuy with his family, is considering selling his businesses and leaving town due to the economic uncertainty and lack of housing.

"We were informed way back when [DEAL] started that they were here to assist and develop business," Douglas said. "These days their focus seems to be on tourism." He noted that for average small businesses like his, DEAL offers "very, very little assistance."

I understand they do other things in the background, but for the average small business like me they're [of] very, very little assistance.

— Blue DouglasBlue Douglas described the limited support he receives from DEAL for his small businesses.

DEAL's website states its housing portfolio is "currently at full capacity." However, Douglas explained that the scarcity of accommodation directly hinders business growth. "We can't get accommodation, which means we can't hire and retain staff, which means we can't grow our business," he stated. While DEAL manages only 17 percent of Nhulunbuy's housing, its role in addressing the housing crisis and supporting local businesses is under scrutiny as the town prepares for the mine's closure.

We can't get accommodation, which means we can't hire and retain staff, which means we can't grow our business.

— Blue DouglasDouglas explained how the housing shortage directly impacts his ability to operate and expand his businesses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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