A town camp in Jabiru will be demolished to make way for a new road, as part of a plan to boost tourism in Kakadu National Park and transform the town into a tourist hub.
Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, representing the Mirarr traditional owners, said the demolition of some homes occurred because the homes and sheds were in disrepair and posed safety risks to its inhabitants.
Gundjeihmi Corp chief executive Emma Young told the ABC the corporation is looking into various housing options for the town camp residents. She emphasised that the approximately 40 inhabitants residing in the last 11 homes will not be relocated until alternative accommodations are arranged.
Additionally, the corporation has requested a comprehensive external analysis to explore possibilities for affordable housing in Jabiru, which will be reviewed by the board, Ms Young said.
In the 1980s, campers from the Kunwinjku language group migrated to Jabiru in Arnhem Land for employment opportunities following the construction of the town by the Ranger Uranium Mine to accommodate its workers, Ms Young said.
Three years ago, following the closure of the mine, the control of Jabiru was handed back to the Mirarr traditional owners by the federal government.
Manaburdurma Jabiru Town Camp leader Kevin Buliwana said residents are desperately worried about their community’s future.
“I think they just slowly, slowly, getting rid of us, and that is why they want to demolish the houses,” Mr Buliwana told the ABC.
He said demolition began in July, when a house was demolished by the Gundjeihmi Corporation, followed by the knocking down of two more camp houses and a shed used for pandanus basket weaving and bark painting.
While the structures have been empty for months due to roof leaks, he said the homes should be fixed rather than demolished.
“I just don’t know what’s going on; we’d like the traditional owners to come to tell us,” he said.
Ms Young said that although the Mirarr community intends to care for everyone within their territory, their plans include tearing down the town camp. This is to reroute the Darwin to Kakadu National Park accessway, which currently passes through Manaburdurma.
The current route from Darwin to Kakadu does not include Jabiru, but the Mirarr are looking to modify this so the flow of visitors is directed into the town. This is a crucial component of their initiative to transform it into a major centre for tourism.
The federal government has pledged financial support for constructing Mirarr’s proposed World Heritage Visitor Centre in Jabiru. Additionally, it has earmarked $11 million to be allocated over the next four fiscal years to enhance the roadways in Jabiru.
However, the federal Environment Department, which jointly manages Kakadu National Park with traditional owners, indicated that the current plans do not cover the realignment of the access road to Jabiru.
Ms Young said that the Mirarr people would postpone dismantling the remaining town camp houses until alternative accommodations are available.
“Once we get the options, our board will consider what we could do in Jabiru,” she said. “There may be multiple options not just based in Jabiru, but maybe on outstations as well.”
Ms Young added that 100 former workers houses the mine company is renovating and returning to the Mirarr people would not go to any of the town camp residents, as they have been allocated to others to alleviate the waitlist for housing in Jabiru.
Container homes could be solution to housing…. there are a lot of clever people doing this…. just add another container when required OR make them big enough to begin with – enough space for 10 – 15 would be a reasonable start….