24 SEPTEMBER 2013www.abc.net.au
Traditional owners North Queensland got back parts of land proposed for bauxite project
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
Traditional owners from five clans in far north Queensland have now taken control of a parcel of west Cape York land earmarked for a multi-billion-dollar bauxite project.
The deeds to the land were handed over yesterday to the Ngan Aak-Kunch Aboriginal Corporation at a ceremony in Aurukun, north of Cairns.
The land, outside the Aurukun town centre, encompasses an area rich in bauxite deposits.
Two companies, Glencore International AG and Australian Indigenous Resources, have submitted proposals to develop.
The Government will make a decision on a shortlist of five proponents.
However, three have decided not to proceed, leaving Australian Indigenous Resources and Glencore International AG in a two-horse race.
A decision on the preferred proponent will be made by the State Government in December, taking into account which company can best maximise the benefits to the traditional owners, the Aurukun community and the state.
Aurukun council spokesman Bernie McCarthy says it has been a lengthy process for the community.
"The people that have fought long and hard to get possession of their land," he said.
"They were presented with deeds by Assistant Minister Kempton and there were the five clans represented from the traditional owners and they each received a deed."
The deeds to the land were handed over yesterday to the Ngan Aak-Kunch Aboriginal Corporation at a ceremony in Aurukun, north of Cairns.
The land, outside the Aurukun town centre, encompasses an area rich in bauxite deposits.
Two companies, Glencore International AG and Australian Indigenous Resources, have submitted proposals to develop.
The Government will make a decision on a shortlist of five proponents.
However, three have decided not to proceed, leaving Australian Indigenous Resources and Glencore International AG in a two-horse race.
A decision on the preferred proponent will be made by the State Government in December, taking into account which company can best maximise the benefits to the traditional owners, the Aurukun community and the state.
Aurukun council spokesman Bernie McCarthy says it has been a lengthy process for the community.
"The people that have fought long and hard to get possession of their land," he said.
"They were presented with deeds by Assistant Minister Kempton and there were the five clans represented from the traditional owners and they each received a deed."
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