Development committee to kick-start
new Barkly projects

MARK JOHN

The Barkly Regional Economic Development Committee (BREDC) is a group of Barkly residents made up of local business people, public servants, the Tennant Creek Town Council and major Aboriginal organisations, formed in order to formulate ways in which the Barkly region may realise its development potential.
The objective of BREDC is to ensure economic opporunities are maximised and employment increased for the entire community, yet maintain the unique quality of life that has long attracted residents to the region.
Economic development involves economic growth and change. The committee is here to identify and encourage entrepreneurs as opportunities arise in tourism, Aboriginal ventures, agriculture, mining-associated or small and medium scale businesses. Through this encouragement and with the assistance of funding bodies, the Barkly region will grow and prosper.
The committee has been successful in gaining funding for two projects, the hydroponics project undertaken by Julalikari Council and the Art Gallery project undertaken by the Town Council.
The Hydroponics project will see six (6) Nutrient Flow Technology (NFT) beds being installed. The new beds will allow for a wider and more diverse range of product being grown. All produce currently is sold locally throught he Foodbarn.
The Art Gallery project will see the development of a gallery to house the town's art collection, presented to and purchased by the Council over many years.
The next meeting of the committee will be on Friday the 13th of March at 2 noon at the Civic Centre. Special guests at this meeting incude Major Ron McCullough of Mt Isa City Council, Mr Wyn Cook, Mt Isa Economic Development Officer and the Tourism Manager, Mr Glen Graham.

Congratulations to the CLC

Maggie Hickey, Opposition Leader

The recent opening of the attractively refurbished Central Land Council office in Tennant Creek made me reflect on how the changes and the events in that old building have influenced me over the past fourteen years.
When I and my family arrived in Tennant Creek, we were fresh from urban Victoria with no involvement in or knowledge of remote rural living nor of traditional Aboriginal people. Up until then I had also managed to avoid any form of involvement in public life.
With the change of ownership of the old building from Country Women's Association to the Central Land Council, the place became a hub of activity for Aboriginal peopele. I learned my words of Warrumungu at language classes and I witnessed at first hand, people's attachment to the land and their knowledge of their country, as displayed during the Land Claim hearings in the CLC hall.
As my knowledge of the local Aboriginal comunity grew, so too did my political awareness. The first of the meetings to challenge the building of a toxic waste incinerator in Tennant Creek, were held in the CLC hall. I stood for Parliament and subsequently won the seat of Barkly in 1990.
Over the years, many talented and committed people have worked at the Tennant Creek office of the Central Land Council. Their contribution to the life of the region and to the advancement of the Aboriginal community particularly has stood the organisation in good stead. On the same day the opening took place, people gave evidence to John Reeves Q.C. in response to the Aboriginal Land Claim Review. They were supportive of the Land Council. The value of regional offices servicing the needs of local communities is certainly proven in Tennant Creek. I congratualte the CLC and all the staff and members involved in the opening of the refurbished building and wish them well for the future.