Three wards confirmed for Groote Archipelago Regional Council ahead of March election

The ‘hard fought’ ward structure for the Groote Archipelago Regional Council has been confirmed, marking an important step in the formation of the new local government.

Groote Eylandt, January 13, 2025: Dorothea Lalara, Serena Bara, ALC Chair Cherelle Wurrawilya, Local Government Minister Steve Edgington, and Ida Mamarika at the Anindilyakwa Land Council office announcing the new ward structure for Groote Archipelago Regional Council. Picture: Supplied.

The ward structure for the Groote Archipelago Regional Council has been confirmed, marking an important step in the formation of the new local government.

Previously comprised of one ward, Groote council will now have three wards representing distinct areas of the archipelago – West ward, Central ward and East ward.

An election will be held on March 15 to elect two representatives for both the East and West wards, and three representatives from the Central ward.

Groote Archipelago Regional Council LGA ward boundaries. Picture: Supplied.

Anindilyakwa Land Council chair Cherelle Wurrawilya said her people had “fought hard for many years to see the return of local government to Anindilyakwa communities”.

“We welcome this decision to empower Anindilyakwa voices by establishing a new ward structure, to ensure that the new council is established the right way from the beginning,” she said.

An election was initially scheduled for October last year, but scrapped at the eleventh hour after strong community feedback calling for more representation of the seven Indigenous communities and 14 clan groups on Groote.

Council constituting member Michael Malouf AM welcomed the new ward structure.

“This is on the basis that there was strong feedback from all communities on Groote for the new Council to be established in the right way from the beginning with the three wards,” Mr Malouf said.

Local Government Minister Steve Edgington was on Groote on Monday to announce the wards.

He said the new structure offered fairer and more localised representation to residents, including residents in smaller communities, such as Milyakburra.

“The new ward structure is an important step in making sure the establishment of the council is built on a strong foundation of fairness, inclusivity, and representation,” Mr Edgington said.

“In addition, it will create opportunities for local community members to have a more active role in community development and decision-making processes.”

“The residents of the Groote Archipelago Region spoke, and the CLP government listened as we worked with Aboriginal people to empower the community to have a greater say and provide a structure that reflects what the community wants.

“Now it’s the turn of community members to put their hands up by becoming candidates and running for council.”

Mr Edgington encouraged all Groote residents to make sure they were registered to vote and their details up to date.

Nominations will open on January 31 for the March election.

The CLP has committed to expanding local government in the Northern Territory as a way to grow Indigenous control of communities, as an alternative to Treaty and Makarrata.

Originally published as Three wards confirmed for Groote Archipelago Regional Council ahead of March election