Groote Archipelago to split from East Arnhem Regional Council, form its own local government

Residents of the Groote Archipelago off East Arnhem Land will head to the polls later this year for their most important election – the vote to elect their inaugural council. Here’s why it matters.

Groote Eylandt, part of the Groote Archipelago, is set to receive its own local government. Picture: File

Residents of the Groote Archipelago off East Arnhem Land will head to the polls later this year for their most important election – the vote to elect their inaugural council.

Anindilyakwa traditional owners have been lobbying the Territory government for many years to take back control of local government affairs for their three main communities of Angurugu, Umbakumba and Milyakburra, which are currently administered by East Arnhem Regional Council.

Now, in the culmination of a process that began in 2018 with the signing of the Groote Archipelago Local Decision Making agreement, residents of the Groote Archipelago will head to the polls on October 26, to elect the first ever Groote Archipelago Regional Council.

The seven-member council will be declared on November 8.

The Groote Archipelago Regional Council, which is being supported by a $3m investment from the NT government, represents the Territory’s tenth regional council, and eighteenth local government council overall.

East Arnhem Regional Council will continue to administer the Yolngu communities of Ramingining, Milingimbi, Galiwin’ku, Gunyangara, Yirrkala, and Gapuwiyak.

Local Government Minister Chansey Paech said the local government’s creation represented a “significant milestone” for Anindilyakwa traditional owners.

“This is about returning power to the people, enabling these communities to determine the service delivery models that work best for their region,” Mr Paech said.

“Now the Anindilyakwa people are well on the way to being able to make decisions about matters that affect their lives such as service delivery, jobs, and community representation.”

Local Decision Making Minister Selena Uibo, who is also the member for Arnhem, said the agreement signed with the Anindilyakwa in 2018 was the first such agreement signed by the NT government as part of its 10-year plan to devolve local decision making powers.

Local Decision Making minister Selena Uibo during the site tour of the Anindilyakwa Healing Centre, Groote Eylandt on Friday February 2.

“The new regional council on the Groote Archipelago follows the implementation of other plans such as housing; economic development; law, justice and rehabilitation; and health and wellbeing,” she said.

“This represents the aspirations of the Anindilyakwa for self-determination and place-based approaches to service delivery.

“As local member for Arnhem, I am very proud to see this come to fruition.”

Tony Wurramarrba, chairman of the Anindilyakwa Land Council, was contacted for comment, as were Constantine Mamarika and Lionel Jaragba, the two Anindilyakwa councillors currently sitting on East Arnhem Regional Council.