About the region
Jabiru is situate 250 km east of Darwin and has a population of approx. 1000 people that grows considerably during the tourist Dry season.
The town is an administrative and service centre for the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park and for the surrounding West Arnhem region of the Northern Territory.
History
The Mirarr are the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of lands in the north of Australia’s Northern Territory.
Mirarr country is a stunning place. Most Mirarr land is within the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park including the vibrant wetlands of the Djabulukgu country and the stunning sandstone escarpment of Djidbidjidbi (Mount Brockman).
The Mirarr estate extends beyond Kakadu to Western Arnhem Land and also includes the Ranger uranium mine, the Jabiluka mineral lease and the mining town of Jabiru.
Mirarr country includes Australia’s oldest documented site of human occupation dated at around 65,000 years. The land hosts a stunning array of ancient rock art which remains vitally connected to the life and culture of Mirarr and other local Aboriginal people.
The town of Jabiru was built on Mirarr land to support mining in the Alligator Rivers Region by the Commonwealth government in 1970s. Mirarr people were excluded from the original construction and operation of the town.
With the cessation of mining in the region and in recognition of the significant impact this will have on both the town and on Kakadu National Park, the Mirarr now take their place in leading the future management and development of the town.
The way forward
The Mirarr together with the Northern Territory Government, the Commonwealth Government and Energy Resources of Australia Ltd have identified eight goals, to support the Mirarr vision of Jabiru as a world leading ecologically sustainable, economically and socially vibrant community where traditional Aboriginal culture, all people and the natural environment flourishes.
All parties are working together to progress the planning for Jabiru’s future.
In some cases, the decision-maker will be the entity, public or private, that owns or holds land tenure in Jabiru. In some cases, the decision-maker will be a Northern Territory Government or Commonwealth Government agency or grant program. The key to success is that all decision-making is guided by the one Jabiru Masterplan
