The town of Jabiru

Surrounded by one of earth’s oldest landscapes, Jabiru is situated on a 13 km² lease within the 20,000 km² Kakadu National Park.

Along with mine construction, the township of Jabiru was created in an otherwise sparsely populated area. The Commonwealth Government leased the area to the Jabiru Town Development Authority to construct a town for the workers and families of three proposed uranium mines that were to proceed at that time under three different companies (Ranger, Jabiluka and Koongarra). Only Ranger has gone ahead. Total construction costs amounted to some $98 million including Energy Resources of Australia Ltd’s (ERA) contribution of $62 million.

Modelled on suburban Canberra and named after Australia’s only stork, Jabiru was completed in 1982. Responsibility for administration and municipal services subsequently passed to the Jabiru Town Council.

The town is now home to employees and families of ERA, local tourist and business operators, Commonwealth and Territory Government departments, Parks Australia and Aboriginal associations and corporations, among others. To protect the surrounding Park, certain restrictions are placed on domestic plants and pets - no cats are allowed to be kept in Jabiru.

Being nestled near the spectacular Arnhem escarpment, the town is also the perfect base for exploring Kakadu National Park and offers travellers, as well as residents the modern services needed to enjoy the surrounding wilderness.

Jabiru itself offers welcome attractions for locals such as an Olympic size swimming pool and a challenging nine hole golf course. Other sports such as rugby, Australian Rules and tennis are all enjoyed by locals and supported by ERA.

The Jabiru Mahbilil Festival, held in early September each year, is named for the region’s seasonal winds. ERA is one of many local sponsors. It includes a mixture of European and Aboriginal culture through live music, dance performances, art workshops, clothing and food and craft appreciation. After sunset a fireworks display is mirrored on Lake Jabiru.

Quality souvenirs and an array of locally produced arts and crafts are available through the town’s commercial outlets.  Dining options cater to all tastes from full a la carte with a traditional “Aussie” flare to a quick snack. The famous Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, built from mining royalties received by the Gagudju Association, also offers all the amenities of a four star hotel. Other tourism ventures built from mining royalties include Cooinda Lodge and the famous Yellow Waters Cruise.  Other Aboriginal owned economic interests include the local Mobil service station and a variety of cultural tour operations.

Community Management

ERA continues to assist and sponsor a range of community programmes and events. Working in collaboration with the West Arnhem Shire Council and the Jabiru Area School, ERA is providing school based apprenticeships for Jabiru youth through the Structured Workplace Learning Programme (SWLP).

ERA has also supported programmes and groups that are helping to encourage the local community to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Among them, Kidney Health Week focusing on diabetes and renal health issues, Youth Health Week, and the Gunbang Action Group, which is developing a Regional Alcohol Plan. The company’s contribution to Kakadu Health Service enables them to employ an additional doctor. The company is hopeful that its contribution to improving community health will leave a positive legacy for future generations.

ERA also facilitated the reintroduction of a Chamber of Commerce in Jabiru and assisted with the organisation of key regional events, in particular the annual Mahbilil Festival in Jabiru and the Stone Country Festival held in Gunbalanya.

Jabiru is administered by the Jabiru Town Development Authority (JTDA), a statutory body established in 1979 under the Jabiru Town Development Act. Environmental issues are managed to satisfy the requirements of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 and the Kakadu National Park Plan of Management. The JTDA leased the land upon which Jabiru is situated from the Director of National Parks and was responsible for developing, maintaining and managing the town and it grants sub-leases for individual lots for residential and business purposes.

Since the establishment of Jabiru, the JTDA gradually delegated responsibility for almost all of its local government service functions to the former Jabiru Town Council (JTC). In 2008, the Northern Territory Government passed the Jabiru Town Development Amendment Bill. This Bill provides for amendments to the Jabiru Town Development Act  to remove the provisions relating to the JTC and to remove responibility of the Jabiru Town Development Authority for the delivery of local government services at Jabiru. The Bill transfers authority to deliver services from the JTC to the West Arnhem Shire Council.

The new Shire incorporates the existing local government  bodies of Maningrida Council Incorporated, Jabiru Town Council, Kunbarllanjnja Community Governemnt Council, Minjilang Community Incorporated, Warruwi Community Incorporated, and a large area of currently unincoporated land that includes Cobourg Peninsular National Park, Kakadu National Park, Ranger uranium mine and Arnhem Land Trust areas. The administrative headquarters of the Council is located in Jabiru.  

The land on which the town of Jabiru is located is currently recognised as Commonwealth land. However, a Native Title claim has been lodged to have the Jabiru head lease recognised as Aboriginal land. ERA supports an outcome that recognises Aboriginal ownership while providing security of tenure for existing businesses/services. ERA, through the town of Jabiru and the Ranger mine has been a strong supporter of both the local and Territory community. The company keenly plays its part as a member of community or industry issue groups where it is requested.

As part of the Jabiru Sports and Social Club (JSSC) lease agreement, ERA (as JSSC building owner) requested that no takeaway alcohol be sold from the premises.

ERA’s operational commitments are also supported by broader commitments to the industry at the Territory level.