East Arnhem

The East Arnhem region is home to the one of the world’s longest continuing cultures and is entirely Aboriginal freehold land.

Set against a spectacular natural environment, the region has a history of trade and entrepreneurship, and is connected with national and international markets.

The population is approximately 15,000 of which more than 75% are Yolŋu or Anindilyakwa.

There are eleven main communities in the region: Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala and Gunyaŋara (collectively referred to as the Gove Peninsula), Galiwin'ku, Gapuwiyak, Ramingining, Milingimbi; and the Groote communities of Alyangula, Angurugu, Umbakumba and Milyakburra. There are more than 50 homelands and satellite communities across the region also.

Download Northern Territory Government regions map with place names PDF (410.7 KB)

Groote Archipelago

  • The Groote Archipelago Local Decision Making Agreement was signed on 14 November 2018 – News story.
  • The Agreement identifies services delivered by the Northern Territory (NT) Government to be transferred to community against short, medium and long term priorities.
  • The Groote Archipelago LDM community updates paper features stories from Anindilyakwa people and community organisations leading the LDM work in the Groote Archipelago: LDM Community updates issued March 2024 PDF (4.3 MB).
  • The LDM Agreement’s four year progress report was developed in 2022 by NT Government and Anindilyakwa Land Council, in consultation with relevant local stakeholders. It provides an overview of progress made to date across all aspects of the LDM Agreement, and outlines the work which lies ahead.
  • 6 Implementation Plans have been developed to underpin the overarching LDM Agreement. These are the:
    • Housing Implementation Plan (signed19 June 2019) - News story
    • Economic Development Implementation Plan (signed 19 June 2019)
    • Law, Justice and Rehabilitation Implementation Plan (signed 19 June 2019)
    • Education Implementation Plan (signed 30 April 2020)
    • Health and Wellbeing Implementation Plan (signed 14 November 2022) - Media release
    • Local Government Implementation Plan (signed 19 July 2023)
  • A letter of variation under the Agreement has been signed by the Anindilyakwa Land Council and the Chief Minister approving an extension to the Sustainable Long Term Power Supply Initiative.
  • The Groote Archipelago Local Decision Making Newsletter outlines achievements and progress updates against priorities and commitments of the Agreement:  LDM Newsletter issued June 2022 PDF (2.5 MB).
  • Anindilyakwa Land Council Chairman, Tony Wurramarrba AO, delivered a keynote address at Garma Festival 2022 identifying the important work being delivered on Groote Archipelago under Local Decision Making.

Djalkiripuyngu (Blue Mud Bay)

Gove Peninsula Futures

  • Rio Tinto's bauxite mining on the Gove Peninsula is due to cease towards the end of the decade. When Rio Tinto's lease ends, this land will be returned to the Traditional Owners. There will be changes and challenges over the coming years as the Gove Peninsula transitions from mining, but this place is special and the people are strong and we are using this moment to create new opportunities across the Gove Peninsula.
  • In 2021, the Traditional Owners of the Gove Peninsula, with the support of the Gove Peninsular Future Reference Group released A New Journey, Traditional Owner Vision for the future of Nhulunbuy and for the Gove Peninsula PDF (2.1 MB).
  • For further information on the TO Vision and the initiatives being progressed by the Gove Peninsula Futures Reference Group, please visit the Gove Futures website at Gove Futures.

Cultural competency training program

  • With NT Government funding, ARDS Aboriginal Corporation have developed a cultural competency training program for NT Government employees working in the Yolŋu region.
  • The Program equips participants with the specific cultural competencies required when working in East Arnhem Land.
  • This training can be found through the following link on the ARDS website

Transitioning health services to community control

Videos

Local Decision Making - Wadeye

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Jabiru Memorandum of Understanding news

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Local Decision Making - Gunbalanya School

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Groote Eylandt Traditional Owners Mining Venture

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New local Health Service for Gapuwiyak Community

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Titjikala Room to Breathe Program news

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Local Decision Making - Vision

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Local Decision Making - Roadmap

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Local Decision Making - Implementation

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Local Decision Making introduction - John Paterson

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Everyone Together 2019-2029 - Aboriginal Affairs Strategy

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 Updated 1 day ago