For much of that time the program has been unique in empowering Aboriginal groups to invest their collective royalty, rent, compensation, leasing and carbon credit income in projects the groups prioritise, plan and monitor. 

Between them 112 groups have spent more than $255.6 million in projects that strengthen local infrastructure, employment, education and culture in their communities. 

Aboriginal groups have kept control over their own development, fostered self-reliance, community pride and good governance and inspired other land councils to follow suit. 

In 2016, the Northern Land Council developed its own version of the program while the founding mothers of the CLC’s original program are in demand on the conference circuit. 

They are part of a group of Warlpiri teachers committed to bilingual and bicultural education who asked CLC director David Ross to support them drive greater change in their communities using royalty payments from Newmont’s gold mine in the Tanami. 

“We asked Rossy if he could help us use that money for education in our communities — to run programs like early childhood learning, country visits, elder payments, buy vehicles and build learning centres,” former Yuendumu teacher Barbara Martin says. 

Mr Ross took the request to the company and secured an offer of additional royalties dedicated to life-long learning projects in the four Tanami communities of Lajamanu, Nyirrpi, Willowra and Yuendumu. 

“Newmont gave us this money and said to use it for education. We were so happy to have Warlpiri money to run our own programs. We didn’t want to keep asking the government — we wanted to be independent.” 

The agreement with Newmont led to the establishment of the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust in 2005. 

Around the same time the traditional owners of the Uluru–Kata-Tjuta National Park decided to direct a large share of their rent and gate income from the jointly-managed park to projects in their communities in the Territory and South Australia. 

The early successes of these groups, the Mutitjulu pool, the Imanpa store and the Willowra community learning centre, persuaded more and more groups across the CLC region that there was a more sustainable way of working with income from land use agreements than to distribute these payments to individuals. 

This year, more than 200 projects worth over $36 million are underway in the southern half of the Territory, delivering significant health, education, cultural and employment benefits. 

Local jobs keep the money in the community. In the last financial year alone, the program created 658 jobs for Aboriginal people. Whenever possible the CLC partners with Aboriginal-controlled organisations and companies to deliver these projects. 

One of the program’s standout projects is the award-winning Yeperenye Trail, a seven-kilometre walking and cycling track between Anthwerrke and Atherrke (Emily and Jesse gaps), east of Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Funded by the area’s traditional owners, the trail construction in 2021 employed 33 Aboriginal people. 

Anthony McMillan, who helped to build the trail, is one of up to 11 people who maintain it every year.

“When I work here, I see different views than when I’m just passing on the road,” he says. ”You are in it, looking around, getting to know it. Country gets to know you too. It keeps us healthy — more exercise. I love it!”

Traditional owner-funded-and-operated swimming pools and water parks also contribute health and employment benefits.

During the last pool season, six Yapa (Warlpiri-speaking Aboriginal locals) worked at the Yuendumu pool, including two accredited lifeguards and four community pool assistants and six worked at the Lajamanu waterpark. 

The Mutitjulu pool employed three accredited Anangu (Pitjantjatjara-speaking Aboriginal locals) lifeguards. One, Leigh Forrester, completed work experience at the Alice Springs Aquatic Centre.

“I enjoy the work. It is a great way to contribute to the community,” he says. 

Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre manager Petina Franklin says the placements create benefits all round.

“It exposes lifeguards from Mutitjulu to the operations of a larger public facility—different hours, pool sizes, user groups and supervision requirements. 

Partnerships with community pools create employment pathways, while our staff also benefit from mentoring and learning,” she says.

Meanwhile Yuendumu’s 23-strong Yapa night patrol team is keeping residents safe. 

The Southern Tanami Kurdiji Indigenous Corporation runs the service under an agreement with the CLC.

Community leader Warren Williams says more local jobs are changing Yuendumu for the better. 

“These jobs are helping Yapa workers build confidence and become strong leaders,” he says. “They now have the courage to step in during trouble, de-escalate conflicts and keep the community safe. 

“It also inspires the younger generation. Kids look up to them and say, ‘I want to be on night patrol like you’.”

In Willowra, the early childhood program employed seven Yapa workers who have completed training in early learning strategies, trauma-informed practice and first aid. 

Community learning centres deliver not only literacy, work readiness, family wellbeing, driver education and mechanics training to residents, they also function as a library where residents can access books and online services and learn about the internet. 

Lajamanu and Nyirrpi fund similar spaces, and between them the centres employ 16 Yapa trainee coordinators. 

As the CLC’s community development program enters its third decade, more and more groups choose to use their own money to build a future based on cultural strength and economic independence. 

“This is self-determination in action,” CLC chief executive Les Turner says. 

For more information on the CLC’s community development projects browse Community Development News at www.clc.org.au