北领地首席部长利亚·菲诺基亚罗在Garma Festival上宣布了一项重大原住民土地使用权协议[1]。根据这份原则性协议，Nhulunbuy镇的租赁权将在力拓公司的铝矾土矿场于2029年关闭后，从力拓转移给当地的里拉提津古氏族[1]。该协议体现了"长期、由传统土地所有者主导的任期模式，支持开放式城镇、可交易产权和未来投资"[1]。
这一宣布恰逢《北领地原住民土地权利法案》颁布50周年纪念[1]。根据协议内容，古玛吉和里拉提津古公司已与莱恩哈普伊家园原住民公司签署谅解备忘录，推进由传统土地所有者运营的采矿项目[1]。此外，联邦政府承诺投入32亿澳元用于建立十亿升澳大利亚燃料安全储备，政府还呼吁将七个力拓油罐重新投入使用，作为戈夫地区未来的燃料基地[1]。
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro unveiled an "in-principle" Aboriginal land tenure agreement at the Garma Festival, marking a significant development for the town of Nhulunbuy following Rio Tinto's planned departure.[1] The agreement will transfer the town's lease from Rio Tinto to the local Rirratijingu clan after the mining company winds down its bauxite operations in 2029.[1] According to the arrangement, the new lease model will be "long-term, traditional-owner-led" and will support "an open town, tradeable titles, and future investment."[1]
The announcement coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Land Rights Act.[1] In addition to the Nhulunbuy agreement, the Gumatj and Rirratijingu corporations signed a memorandum of understanding with Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation to develop traditional owner-run mining projects.[1] The Commonwealth also committed AUD 3.2 billion for a one billion litre Australian Fuel Security Reserve, with calls for the recommissioning of seven Rio Tinto tanks as a future fuel base for the Gove region.[1]