We want to open this newsletter by acknowledging the passing of the late ALPA Chairperson, Mr M. Wunungmurra and extending our condolences to his family and the wider community. We had the privilege of meeting with the late Chair in Gapuwiyak where he generously gave his leadership and knowledge to share his vision with our Board for the ongoing opportunities for development of Lake Evella and the surrounding homelands. He was a respected and thoughtful leader and I know his sudden passing will have impacted many people, in the same way his legacy will continue to contribute to continued opportunities and economic independence for First Nations people.

DEAL CEO Update

A lot has been happening at Developing East Arnhem Limited (DEAL) and across the region since our December newsletter.

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) kicked off a review on behalf of our Members, Northern Territory Government (NTG) and Rio Tinto, to ensure our role and priorities are meeting the challenges and opportunities for the future of the region as we approach mine closure. Thank you to those who participated in the consultations; we look forward to sharing the outcomes of the review in the weeks ahead.

The tender for the third package of works for the $9 million Gunyungara (Gove Port) Tourism Precinct project was released. The project will provide better facilities for recreational users, charter vessels, cruise ship operators, and other marine operators and provide business and employment opportunities for local people, including Yolŋu tourism operators.

Gove Peninsula Investment Gateway Tool

The Gove Peninsula Futures Reference Group is working collaboratively towards a positive post‑mining future for the benefit of Yolŋu landowners, local communities, business, and industry. DEAL is facilitating the Economic Development and Transition workstream which recently completed work on an important process for future investment in the region.

Over the coming decade, the Gove Peninsula will shift away from mining. This presents an exciting opportunity for growth and investment in new industries and partnerships with Traditional Owner groups and businesses.

Traditional Owners, with the support of the Gove Peninsula Futures Reference Group (Reference Group), have established processes to assist potential proponents to explore opportunities on Aboriginal land.

As part of this journey, the Reference Group have recently launched the Gove Peninsula Investment Gateway Tool. The Investment Gateway Tool is an initial engagement process for proponents (organisations/investors/businesses) to engage with Traditional Owner corporations at the project initiation stage.​ It facilitates structured and relevant information sharing and encourages proponents to understand the principles of ‘development by consent’ on Aboriginal Land. Traditional Owner corporations will use the Tool to help decide if, when and how to proceed with engagement with investors and proponents. ​

Traditional Owner corporations will review proposals, make a preliminary assessment, and may conduct (or commission) initial due diligence assessments of proposals, in order to decide whether to proceed with engagement.

Traditional Owners may elect to support the proposal to progress to further development/assessment or direct engagement; or may decide a project is not consistent with their aspirations for development on their land and advise they are not keen to consider the project further.

For further information on the Gove Peninsula Investment Gateway Tool, visit https://govefutures.nt.gov.au/future-investment-opportunities.

DEAL Housing Update

Since February 2023, DEAL housing has been managed by our in-house property team, with the support of contracting partners – East Arnhem Real Estate for lease administration, and Melville Property Management for housing maintenance. Housing continues to remain at full capacity, with an extended waitlist. We understand this does provide significant challenges for businesses, particularly as the town transitions. Keeping the housing team updated with your business housing requirements, ensures we can make considered decisions at every opportunity.

We have been working through a number of key improvement projects across the portfolio including a project to improve liveability at the Town Flats. Successes of this project include:

• Major maintenance on Air Handling units for air conditioning systems across all blocks 
• Abandoned vehicle removal
• Installation of non-intrusive ground floor security screens
• Lighting reinstated on garages, with further lighting upgrade works underway
• Commencement of security patrols
• Reinstatement of reticulation

DEAL Tourism Update

Lots has been happening in the tourism space! Our new Tourism Development Manager, Jessica Djerrkura, started at DEAL in early February. Jessica has enjoyed her role so far working with key stakeholders on tourism objectives for the region. A main objective has been working with the Tourism East Arnhem (TEA) Association committee to grow and place TEA in a good position for the season ahead. It has been a busy few months full of networking, committee meetings and workshops. To keep up to date with TEA and everything happening in that space, you can subscribe to industry updates by emailing admin@eastarnhemland.com.au.

In March, we finalised a permit awareness and education video that has been sent to Tourism Top End Visitor Information Centres located in Darwin and Katherine, as well as our Visitor Information Centre here in Nhulunbuy. The aim of this video is to educate visitors on permits and their importance for the region. You can find this video on the East Arnhem Land YouTube channel and destination website. Alternatively, you can check it out here!

April was a busy month for industry event attendance, with DEAL representing the region and our local tourism sector at the Tourism 2030 Conference, Welcome to the Dry and Tourism Top End Travel events. This was a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry, Tourism NT and our Regional Tourism Organisation Tourism Top End. DEAL was able to provide relevant updates to stakeholders and Visitor Information Centre staff with visitor enquiries specific to the Central Arnhem Road and East Arnhem Land. Image: Jess Djerrkura attending the Tourism Top End Travel Expo on Larrakia Country in Darwin.

Coming up…

Tourism East Arnhem Workforce Development Workshop | 15 May
Tourism East Arnhem is hosting a Tourism Workforce Development Workshop from 10am to 2pm in the NIAA Conference Room in Nhulunbuy on 15 May. During this workshop, Tourism East Arnhem will aim to define the workforce development needs of our local tourism sector and secondly, develop a regionally consistent approach to delivering the training and supporting services required for a tourism workforce to thrive in East Arnhem. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP your attendance by emailing admin@eastarnhemland.com.au.

East Arnhem Land Destination Management Plan (DMP) Meeting | 16 May
The regions quarterly DMP meeting is scheduled for 16 May, in which key stakeholders from our region meet with representatives from Tourism NT and Tourism Top End in Nhulunbuy to discuss tourism priorities and developments for the year ahead. DEAL holds a secretariat role in this forum and collaborates with organisations to deliver on tourism priority actions. For more information on the East Arnhem DMP, visit this link.

Yarrapay Festival | 22 June
View event details here

For information on events across the region, visit Nhulunbuy Corporation’s website event page here.

We hope you enjoyed this update. Please share this newsletter with your contacts. To subscribe, you can do so here.