In preparation for the closure of the Rio Tinto bauxite mine in about seven years, RAC has a long list of exciting projects that will continue to provide economic stimulus to the region.

The closure of the mine is witnessing an economy in transition. While the region is expecting a drop in population as mining families depart, the reality through the eyes of RAC is that the economic transition will provide an opportunity for the economy to grow and diversify.

RAC Chief Executive Rhian Oliver says. “The closure of the mine represents an opportunity for a new chapter for the region. As a corporation that has maintained a strong commercial focus in support of our cultural and community activities, we are excited to be a part of the transition of the region to a more diverse economy in support to a vibrant community.”

The Northern Territory Government is expected to play a key role in the sustainability and future of the region with service providers setting up bases in Nhulunbuy as part of the Government’s regionalisation strategies.

In response to the region’s projected diversification and the Government’s intended regionalisation strategies, RAC is providing local leadership through a number of exciting projects.

For RAC, the royalties critical in providing its array of support programs for Rirratjingu people will disappear when the mine closes. RAC has long recognised this impending closure and are well prepared. RAC chair Wanyubi Marika reflected on the astute leadership of the corporation over many years.

He says. “We have, over many years, acknowledged our role in providing strategic leadership important to our own future and also the future of the region. Central to this leadership has been the establishment of an array of commercial interests designed to ensure sustainability so our future generations can continue to build better lives.”

RAC, through the astute management of revenue, provide numerous social and cultural programs in support to members.

“Our Emerging Leaders program is now in its third year and is providing important education and training for the next generation of leaders,” says Mr Marika. “Our social program supports community in many ways, from the sick and elderly through to sport and education.”

RAC offer cultural awareness programs, provide community support for funerals and have established a future fund charitable payments reserve to safeguard the future delivery of services.

In June this year, in partnership with the corporation’s 40-year anniversary, was the launch of the RAC Career Pathway Program. This multi-milliondollar investment, supported by the Commonwealth Government, will deliver employment, training, education and micro-business pathways for Indigenous people across the region.

In recent times, RAC has continued its commercial focus with the completion of its $10 million fully tenanted Rirratjingu Business Centre together with the adjacent Yanawal high quality 14 short-term accommodation units.

There are numerous additional commercial and social infrastructure initiatives in the planning stages projecting a bright and busy future for the corporation

The following provides some insight into the numerous projects under planning.

Putting in place enabling infrastructure: A 258-room fully serviced high quality Workers Village is being developed opposite the newly constructed Rirratjingu Business Centre to accommodate the required workforce to assist with the transition away from mining to a growing regional economic hub.

“There’s nowhere for visitors and staff to stay,” RAC Chief Executive Rhian Oliver says. “So, we’re providing accommodation across these different levels because we want to support the critical infrastructure necessary to enable the population to grow, for services to expand and for the community to remain strong and connected.”

Addressing the housing shortage: RAC are committed to addressing the housing shortage in the area of quality permanent housing that has stifled growth over recent years. Plans are underway to do this through the development of a number of vacant sites in and around Nhulunbuy in the immediate future and in the medium term with a 44-hectare block of land ready for a Phase 1 development as a 58-lot subdivision.

The Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation has partnered with leading civil works and construction company Sitzler, by establishing Rirratjingu Project Management Pty Ltd which will project manage the development of these housing and related developments together with a number of other development projects on behalf of RAC.

“We have an undersupply of housing in the region,” Mr Oliver says. “We will play our role in addressing this and in doing so improve liveability standards and stimulate the local economy. For the region to prosper the additional housing stock is a critical enabler.”

Careers Pathway Program: RAC has recently been successful in securing funding to support its new innovative Careers Pathway Program. Central to this program has been the construction, and recent launch, of a fully refurbished Career Pathway Centre. Offices, private career counselling rooms, training facilities and a micro-business space will all contribute to a new way of support for career pathways.

Cultural Tourism: Nearly every survey of tourists shows that one of the experiences visitors crave most is to learn more about Aboriginal culture. But there are precious few chances to do this in the Territory, despite the fact that 29 percent of the population is Indigenous.

As an example the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation is developing a 30-site “glamping ground” above an area known as the Fish Traps, a site where ancient fish traps have been found. There is already undercover space and a stage at this location.

“We’re keen to attract tourists to learn about Aboriginal culture,” says

Mr Marika. “We are keen to work on Country and educate people about our culture and history. We want to develop cultural immersion experiences for visitors. 

Supporting Community: In March 2021 RAC secured the head lease over the Yirrkala Community Store that had become run down and was not meeting the needs of the Yirrkala and surrounding communities. 

After a comprehensive assessment process a sub lease was then entered into with Yirrkala Enterprises Pty Ltd that was owned by North Australia Management Services to operate the store on behalf of RAC as the Store head lease holder. 

On the 1st July 2021 RAC acquired a 25% shareholding in Yirrkala Enterprises with an option to increase its shareholding over time. 

RAC since that time has now with funding support from the NLC, NIAA and Yirrkala Enterprises has invested over $1.5m in expanding the range of services provided by the Store which has recently resulted in the long-awaited opening of the new Fuel Facility to service the Yirrkala Community. 

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY 

RAC manages businesses that have a combined annual turnover of tens of millions of dollars. These enterprises benefit not only the Rirratjingu people, but the wider Territory economy and society. 

As RAC celebrates its 40-year anniversary this year, they will celebrate the challenges of the early years and the extraordinary progress and achievements of recent years. The corporation has capitalised on the opportunities presented with a view to their future. 

Through nine subsidiary corporations RAC continues to showcase strong commercial acumen with a dual focus on investing in sustainability and investments within the region. Sitting amongst RAC’s subsidiaries are: 

Rirratjingu Mining Pty Ltd: This enterprise was established to increase Indigenous employment and deliver commercial returns. This subsidiary operates a successful blue metal quarry. The company has a contract with Rio Tinto to quarry and crush blue metal rock, which is used in building roads, embankments and various concrete products. 

Further investment has been made in expanding the quarry to best position the quarry for the next phase of work in the region that will require quarry products such as the upgrading of the Carpentaria Highway amongst other projects. 

Rirratjingu Investments Pty Ltd: Known locally as Malpi Village, 26 homes were built near central Nhulunbuy in one of the corporation’s first major investments. 

The properties have been leased to Territory and Commonwealth government staff on secure, long-term leases. The company’s investment has been further enhanced by the recent completion of the $10m Rirratjingu Business Centre and attached 14 short stay Yanawal unit complex and refurbishment of the Wallaby Beach Workers Camp. 

Rirratjingu Fuel: This subsidiary is a joint shareholding with Cambridge Gulf Ltd. The company currently has an eight-year contract with Rio Tinto to import around 50 million litres of diesel annually. 

In a very short time, Rirratjingu Fuel has established itself as a reliable player in Australia, importing diesel directly from the regional distribution centre in Singapore. Rirratjingu Fuel provided a 50 percent return on equity for the business venture after its first year of operation and has been a continued astute commercial decision of RAC. 

Rirratjingu Property Management and Maintenance Services Pty Ltd: RAC, through its subsidiary RPMMS, has a maintenance contract for 130 houses in Yirrkala. It also fills an important role in maintaining the Rirratjingu Investments property portfolio. 

“We’ve got an Indigenous crew working alongside qualified trades people performing general maintenance and minor renovations,” says Mr Oliver. “We expect to see this business expand as we provide employment opportunities and pathways to careers.” 

As one of the largest and most successful Indigenous corporations in Australia, RAC stands as testimony to what can be achieved when opportunity presents, and the leaders are prepared to take the long-term view through careful and considered commercial decisions. 

LOOKING BACK – LOOKING FORWARD 

The Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation was founded in 1984 to represent the Rirratjingu people, Indigenous Traditional Owners of land on the Gove Peninsula. The corporation’s mission is to ensure the Rirratjingu community is financially self-sufficient and able to deliver benefits to members and make a genuine difference in the community today, tomorrow and into the future. 

The corporation administers royalties from the mine while building a pathway to sustainability and economic independence in support to the continued delivery of it’s many social, cultural, education and employment programs.