Gulf Communities Agreement  |
| Category: | Agreement | |
| Date: | 1 September 1997 | |
| Sub Category: | Framework Agreement | Future Act Agreement (Native Title Act) | Land Transfer Agreement |
| Location: | Gulf of Carpentaria, Northwest Queensland, Queensland, Australia |
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| Alternative Names: | GCA
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| Subject Matter: | Compensation | Cultural Heritage | Economic Development | Education | Employment and Training | Health and Community Services | Land Transaction | Mining and Minerals | Native Title |
| Summary Information: | |
| The Gulf Communities Agreement (GCA) was negotiated between Pasminco Century Mine Limited, the Queensland Government and three native title groups – the Waanyi, Mingginda, and Gkuthaarn and Kikatj – under the right to negotiate provisions of the Native Title Act 1993 Cth. The Agreement, signed in May 1997, came into effect in September 1997 when Pasminco purchased the Century Mine project from Rio Tinto. The Century deposit is expected to last for approximately 20 years. |
| Detailed Information: | |
The GCA is a comprehensive agreement focused on long term objectives and benefits to all parties. The Gulf Aboriginal Development Corporation (GADC) was established under the Agreement at the request of the native title parties, to represent their interests during the implementation phase and life of the Agreement. It plays an important coordination and facilitation role in the continuing operation of the Agreement.
The Agreement covers a wide range of issues and commitments, including: social impact assessments, health facilities, compensation at mine site and along the pipeline corridor, strategic plan funding, and detailed commitments in relation to employment and training. The Agreement has seen the development of local businesses and the hand back to Indigenous owners of Turn-off Lagoons Pastoral lease, with other leases in the process of transfer.
A number of committees have been established to oversee environmental issues and employment and training. A legal trust has been established consisting primarily of local Aboriginal community members to manage Century Mine’s contributed funds for business development. Source: Rio Tinto Aboriginal Policy and Programs, Briefing Note March 2002, Pasminco Century Mine publicity brochure | |
| Outcomes: | |
A review into the GCA was conducted in March-April 2008 (ABC News 2008; Department of Infrastructure and Planning 2008). The review reportedly calls for "increased government effort" in relation to the GCA and states that "a renewed commitment to the GCA [is] required over the remaining life of the mine (seven years) to ensure employment and enterprise development benefits to native title groups are maximised" (Department of Infrastructure and Planning 2008).
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