East Arnhem

The East Arnhem Regional Economic Growth Committee (REGC) has been an integral part of the East Arnhem economic and business development landscape since Regional Economic Development Committees were initially established across the regions of the Northern Territory and most recently has provided advice and support through the difficult COVID-19 years (under the banner of Regional Reconstruction Committees).

The East Arnhem REGC has maintained a proactive, consistent and committed membership and provided strong advocacy for the region for many years. The current membership includes:

• Anindilyakwa Land Council
• Arnhem Aboriginal Business Council members - currently Gumatj Corporation, Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation, North East Arnhem Land Aboriginal Corporation and Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation
• BIG Carpentry
• Chamber of Commerce NT
• Australian Government - National Indigenous Australians Agency
• Charles Darwin University
• Developing East Arnhem Limited
• Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation
• East Arnhem Regional Council
• Goŋ-Ḏäl Aboriginal Corporation
• Gove Real Estate
• Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation
• Nhulunbuy Corporation Limited
• Northern Land Council
• Northern Territory Government - Departments of the Chief Minister and Cabinet; Industry, Tourism and Trade; and Education
• Regional Development Australia NT
• Rio Tinto
• Tourism East Arnhem.

East Arnhem Regional Economic Growth Plan

This East Arnhem Regional Economic Growth Plan was developed by the REGC and aims to capture the collective vision of the East Arnhem community with regard to economic development and growth for the next 10 years. The pescribes the context for this economic growth, including the enablers and limitations that currently exist in East Arnhem’s economic ecosystem.

The plan set of targets for economic growth and makes a range of recommendations for future action to assist in achievement of these objectives.

Read the:

• East Arnhem Regional Economic Growth Plan PDF (7.5 MB).
• plain English summary of the East Arnhem Regional Economic Growth Plan PDF (159.7 KB).

East Arnhem Region

• 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 as well as more than 50 homelands and satellite communities across the region.
• The gross regional product of the East Arnhem Region was just under $1 billion in 2021, representing approximately 3.8% of the Territory economy.

The Regional Economic Growth Plan does not duplicate core information or strategies already established in the region and actions other related plans.

Key interrelated plans and documents include:

• Invest East Arnhem
• East Arnhem Regc's - Submission to the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission
• Anindilyakwa Land Council - Future Groote Strategy and ALC Strategic plan
• Gove Peninsula Futures - Traditional owner vision for the Gove Peninsula
• East Arnhem Land Destination Management Plan.

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.

In 2021, the Traditional Owners of the Gove Peninsula, with the support of the Gove Peninsula Futures Reference Group released A New Journey Together - Traditional Owners Vision for the Future of Nhulunbuy and the Gove Peninsula PDF (2.1 MB). This vision is vital for shaping the post-mining future of the region and outlines 8 priority areas that Traditional Owners wish to see achieved for the Gove Peninsula beyond mining.

To support a positive transition, the Gove Peninsula Futures Reference Group is working through potential transitional issues and facilitating planning for a post-mining future that benefits Traditional Owners, local communities, business and industry.

For further information on Gove Futures, go to the Gove Futures website.