Trials and Triumphs in the Northern Territory and Northern Australia, From Cape York to the Kimberleys 1954 – 2002

Description

During the 1960's the government, in a burst of interest embarked on a beef road development program providing access from the east and the west. In the '60's the government contributed substantially to the Territory development. The Carpentaria Highway, became a key road for the mining and pastoral industries. Then the discovery of high-grade uranium deposits at Narbarlek, in the Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve, at Jabiru, Koongara and Jabiluka, before Kakadu was formed. They provided the hope that the mining industry would develop a stable economic climate to the Territory. In 1971 a reconstruction program was approved. In 1972, provisions for special Mining leases were changed. Exploration licenses were held up because of objections by Aboriginal groups demanding immediate royalties. In 1974 Darwin suffered a disastrous cyclone, badly damaging port facilities and holding up mining operations. By 1976 the introduction by the Federal government of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Land Rights provided the mechanism for land councils to gain effective control of almost half the Northern Territory. This is Joe's story – his history and all the development of his beloved Darwin. A life member and past president of the NT Chambers of Mines and Petroleum, 55 years in the Top End's Mining industry, also a environmentalist and former member of the Conservation Commission's predecessor the NT Reserves Board.