Gulf Communities Agreement
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Pre-vocational trainees at Century
Overview
Century operates under the unique Gulf communities Agreement (GCA), an agreement between MMG Century, the Queensland Government and the four Native Title groups of Waanyi, Mingginda, Gkuthaarn and Kukatj.
The agreement provides education, training and employment opportunities for the people of the local Traditional Owner groups and lower Gulf communities, as well as cultural and environmental assurances.
Negotiation
The Gulf Communities Agreement (GCA) was negotiated under the Right to Negotiate provisions of the Native Title Act (1993) and signed in February 1997.
The spirit and intent of the GCA and the desired outcomes of the Native Title groups were to:
- Remove their people and other members of their communities from welfare dependency and, to the greatest extent possible, promote economic self-sufficiency;
- Participate as fully as possible in the mine and related ventures;
- Be able to live on their traditional lands;
- Protect fully the natural environment and its resources;
- Identify and protect sites of cultural significance;
- Ensure that the material benefits gained do not corrupt Indigenous cultures, but enable people to reaffirm their beliefs and enhance the lifestyles of the people of the Gulf through community and cultural development initiatives; and
- Ensure that the standard of health, employment rates, education opportunities and other social indices of the people of the Gulf are comparable to ordinary Australian standards.
Responsibilities and schedules
The Gulf Communities Agreement is divided into ten schedules and describes the roles and responsibilities of Century, the Queensland Government and Native Titles groups, which are outlined below:
Century
The Gulf Communities Agreement requires Century to provide the Native Title groups and the people of the lower Gulf of Carpentaria with:
- Employment and training opportunities;
- Business opportunities for local Indigenous people at the mine and port sites and within their local communities;
- Ongoing assistance to help with the establishment and operation of theses businesses;
- Assurances regarding environmental protection;
- Assurances about the identification, protection and management of significant Indigenous sites;
- Monetary payments to the Native Title groups for land access; and
- Continued consultation and communication.
Queensland Government
Under the Gulf Communities Agreement, the Queensland Government is to contribute to cultural and social improvements in the region by providing services and infrastructure.
Native Titles Groups’ role
Local Traditional Owners are required to give Century access to the area to mine and conduct its operations.