Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has announced a series of landmark agreements with clan leaders in Arnhem Land that aim to transfer ownership and control of the mining town of Nhulunbuy to Aboriginal groups. The accords, unveiled at the Garma festival in northeast Arnhem Land, mark a significant step toward securing tenure for traditional owners of the Gove peninsula and paving the way for a sustainable post-mining economy.

Nhulunbuy, which has long relied on the bauxite mine operated by Rio Tinto, faces economic uncertainty following the company’s scheduled departure by 2029. Under the new proposals, the Birritjingu clan would gain ownership of the town’s housing, public buildings, and amenities, including an Olympic swimming pool. This transfer of control is designed to empower local communities to manage their town and foster economic opportunities after mining operations cease.

The agreements draw parallels with a previous 99-year lease struck between the Northern Territory government and the Gumatj people at Gumyungarra, which enabled the clan to develop homes and businesses. Birritjingu clan leader Wanyubi Marika indicated that individual home ownership could become a possibility for some community members in the future, representing a shift toward greater housing security. Currently, many residents face insecure leases that leave them vulnerable to eviction if rent payments are missed.

Finocchiaro, who leads the Country Liberal Party and has recently faced criticism from some Aboriginal groups over changes to child safety legislation, has partnered with the Gumatj and Birritjingu clans to lobby the federal government for funding. Together, they are seeking approximately A$3.2 billion in Commonwealth investment to transform Gove’s deep-water port into a fuel storage facility. This repurposing is intended to maintain economic activity in the region after Rio Tinto removes its fuel tanks.

“I have every expectation the Prime Minister will deliver the funding,” Finocchiaro said, noting joint letters she and clan leaders Djawa Yunupingu and Wanyubi Marika had submitted to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The facility would service northern Australia and provide ongoing employment and infrastructure benefits.

Local stakeholders emphasize that the agreements reflect a shared commitment to long-term community development. Land council chair Mervyn Dhulumburrk described the plans as central to building a viable economy beyond the mining era. Former AFL player and Yolngu man Nathan Djerrkura, whose family operates a tourism business on their beachfront homeland at Buymarr, called the process a “locally powered solution” that injects hope for the future. Djerrkura highlighted a renewed focus on home and community rebuild efforts, underscoring the urgency given the destruction wrought by cyclones and seasonal flooding on earlier homelands.

While some residents have expressed concerns about unrestricted development, Marika assured that all initiatives were undertaken in consultation with the clans and aimed at fostering sustainable progress. As Nhulunbuy prepares for a post-mining transition, these historic agreements seek to ensure that Aboriginal people hold a central role in shaping their community’s future.