The fund has been established by Santos and its Barossa LNG joint venture partners to benefit Aboriginal coastal communities in the Territory. 

It will enable Tiwi Resources to create more employment opportunities for rangers and upgrade their infrastructure and equipment – strengthening the ability to care for Country across land and sea. 

The funding will deliver a new ranger base at Wurankuwu on Bathurst Island, along with a new vessel, vehicle and equipment. 

And it will fund the employment and training of two new Tiwi rangers, in addition to a Tiwi supervisor and operations coordinator. 

The commitment also includes new staff accommodation at Wurankuwu, and two new Tiwi rangers in Wurrumiyanga. 

Tiwi Resources board chair Alice Munkara says: “The new agreement means a lot to us. It will create more jobs, including new rangers to look after the land, which is very important. It means more people can get to the land, and to their country, which means a lot.” 

And Wurankuwu Traditional Owner Ron Poantumilui says: “I am happy about the new Ranger station, which will create great new jobs and help get people back home. Thank you to Santos for supporting us and making this partnership possible.” TQ