The centre in the remote town of Borroloola is co-funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the McArthur River Mine Community Benefits Trust.

It will provide a much-needed community hub delivering retail, health care, government services and community facilities.

Borroloola Central is an example of how the Glencore-owned McArthur River Mine, in combination with the NT Government, is investing in programs and infrastructure that help Indigenous people who live near the zinc mine to help themselves.

The Community Benefits Trust – a partnership between MRM, the NT Government and the local community – has invested $23 million into 150 community projects over the past 17 years, ranging from culture and art, enterprise and job creation, social and community development, education, health and environmental protection.

Projects, which have had immediate and long-term benefits to the local community and businesses, range from the School Breakfast program to taking the lead in construction of the multimillion-dollar Rocky Creek Crossing bridge.

Most recently the trust funded the standalone Gulf Youth and Community Service, focusing on youth and community wellbeing.

Borroloola Central will be a mixed-use hub at 6 Searcy Street, opposite the school and Malandari store complex.

Modelling by respected business consulting firm KPMG shows the project will deliver $75 million in community benefit over 15 years.

The anchor tenant will be Purple House, a community controlled health service providing dialysis services to local residents. 

This will enable residents to receive treatment while living at home with their families, rather than having to move to Darwin or Katherine to receive the life-saving treatment. 

The centre will have: 

Six retail tenancies, which could include a bakery, butcher, pharmacy, laundry or other needed retail services 

Three commercial tenancies, including Northern Territory Government services and Purple House 

Community space and a youth facility 

Eleven one to three-bedroom apartments 

Bennetts Architects have been engaged to design the facility and landscape and Louw Group have been engaged as project managers. 

Traditional Owner and co-chair of the trust Marlene Karkadoo says: “This development is really exciting for Borroloola and will provide facilities and services that will strengthen the future of this community. 

“I am proud to be representing the community on the CBT board and look forward to seeing and sharing the benefits Borroloola Central will bring for everyone.” 

Co-chair Jake Quinlivan says: “This will be a signature development for the region that will deliver tangible benefits to the local community.” 

MRM chief operating officer Sam Strohmayr says: “Glencore is committed to making a difference in the communities in which we operate. I know local community members will see a big difference in their lives from the facilities this development will deliver.” 

Borroloola Central will be owned, operated and managed by the Community Benefits Trust. The trust is represented by 14 directors – eight representing the four language groups of Gudanji, Garrwa, Yanyuwa and Marra; two directors representing the local community; one Territory Government and one MRM representative; and two independent directors. 

Local Indigenous directors have majority voting rights on board decisions. 

Amendments to the constitution allow for greater community representation and majority Aboriginal decision-making on trust investments by doubling local representation and enabling female representation. 

It’s the first-time local female directors have represented the language groups on the board. 

Director Samuel Evans, who has been on the board since its inception, says: “The local directors get a big say in what the money is spent on, which is really especially important for our community.” 

The trust’s area of influence extends to the communities bounded by Robinson River in the south-east, the Sir Edward Pellew Islands, the Limmen Bight River in the west and Balbirini Station in the south. 

Borroloola, nearly 1000 kilometres by road south-east of Darwin, sits at the heart of the region. 

To learn more about the Community Benefits Trust, visit mrmcommunitytrust.com