Economic flows to Aboriginal communities

The Mirarr Gundjeihmi Clan are the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Ranger Project Area (RPA) is sited. Title to areas including the RPA was granted to the Kakadu Land Trust in 1978. The RPA is leased from the Traditional Owners through the Commonwealth Government and is subject to a negotiated agreement under Section 44 of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth).

The agreement was reached between the Commonwealth and the Northern Land Council, on behalf of the Traditional Owners. In accordance with the agreement, ERA makes royalty payments to the Commonwealth Government of 4.25% of its net sales revenue plus an annual rental of $200,000 for use of the land. An additional 1.25% of net sales revenue is paid to the Commonwealth and distributed to the NT Government.

In 2007, ERA's royalty expenses totalled $18.3 million (2006: $12.4 million) of which $14.1 million was distributed to NT-based Aboriginal groups. The diagram below shows the distribution of royalties by the Commonwealth Government:

ERA takes a much broader view of its commitments to the Aboriginal community beyond royalty payments. In conjunction with other stakeholders, ERA has continued to assist in regional programs relating to social and cultural issues identified by local Aboriginal people.