Rirratjingu Investments
Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation, through its property investment vehicle Rirratjingu Investments, continues to demonstrate its clear commitment to the long-term success of the region by making substantial investments into both its existing assets as well as developing new property investments within the region.
Rirratjingu Investments Service Aims
Addressing the Housing Infrastructure Shortage
Providing essential housing infrastructure in support to the transition of the Gove region from mining toward a more diverse economy.
Driving Regional Economic Growth
Implement sustainable practices, such as sourcing fuel responsibly and minimising waste. These initiatives will play a key role in preserving the region’s natural resources.
Economic Independence
Establishing property investments as a building block toward the long-term financial sustainability for the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation.
Introduction
In 2004, Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation established Rirratjingu Investments (formerly Bunuwal Investments). This wholly owned subsidiary was established to provide confidence to the Gove Peninsula community that the Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation was here to stay and here to support economic growth.
Our investments in businesses, property, and projects are aimed at helping drive sustainable economic growth, with a focus on community housing and commercial infrastructure.
Housing infrastructure is key to a successful economy in the region, and Rirratjingu Investments plays an important role in the transition away from mining.
Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation, through our property investment arm, Rirratjingu Investments, is committed to the long-term success of the region. We are making substantial investments in both our existing assets and new property projects within the region. The Rirratjingu people have the ambitious purpose of ensuring Nhulunbuy thrives even after mining ends. Our goal is for Nhulunbuy to be “Yolŋu ga Napaki” – as good as it can be.
We show leadership in the region through our investments in housing and commercial infrastructure. We strongly support the region’s priorities as outlined in the Regional Economic Growth Plan 2022–2023 (REGP) and A New Journey Together, the Traditional Owners’ vision for the future. Both these documents acknowledge the need for more housing and commercial infrastructure. In fact, many of the goals in these documents cannot be achieved without additional infrastructure.
Rirratjingu Investments has further demonstrated leadership with the recent completion of our $10 million, fully tenanted Rirratjingu Business Centre and 15 short-stay Yanawal accommodation units. We are also currently refurbishing the Wallaby Beach Workers Village with over $1 million in investment.
Empowering Our People
Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation has one overarching purpose – to empower the Yolŋu culture and our members every day. Rirratjingu Investments is a vital component in ensuring the Rirratjingu community is financially self-sufficient and RAC can continue to deliver social and cultural benefits to the region.
“Our growing investment and commercial interests are outcomes I feel our forefathers would be proud to acknowledge…We have never been more focused on leveraging our growing capacity to achieve commercial, social, and cultural outcomes. Strong governance has given our members and stakeholders comfort that our Corporation is someone they aspire to do business with.” – Bakamumu Marika, RAC Chairman 1984-2021
The purpose underlying our investments include:
- To ensure financial sustainability for RAC programs
- To be the “one-stop shop” service for Nhulunbuy Housing
- To provide and encourage industry growth in the region
- To encourage job creation for the community
Rirratjingu Investments – Our Residential Projects
Introduction
Rirratjingu Investments is committed to ensuring Nhulunbuy housing is a priority and sees it as a way for both the community and long-term contracting leases to thrive. Over the next decade, we will have invested in over 100 real estate properties in the North East Arnhem Land region.
A glance at some of our past, current and future housing initiatives include:
Malpi Village
Malpi Village was the first major investment by Rirratjingu Investments and became Australia’s first private housing subdivision on Aboriginal land. RAC recognised that housing and accommodation were in short supply and in high demand when Rio Tinto Alcan upgraded its facilities, creating a real estate investment opportunity.
Rirratjingu Investments built 26 properties on Rirratjingu land near central Nhulunbuy. Completed in 2007, the homes were leased to Northern Territory and Commonwealth Government staff on secure, long-term leases. The company’s investment has been further enhanced by the subdivision of the estate into individual titles.
In 2020/2021, Rirratjingu Investments spent $1.4 million dollars to complete a comprehensive refurbishment of Malpi Village. This refurbishment has helped to facilitate significant long-term leases with various Government agencies, which provides RAC with some financial security.
Rirratjingu Accelerated Housing – A Community Focused Infrastructure Plan
Rirratjingu Investments, with project management support from our jointly owned Rirratjingu Project Management subsidiary, are in the final stages of negotiations to build up to 80 new residential dwellings of various configurations over the next 3 to 5 years. These dwellings will be leased back by the NTG to house additional key community services staff required for Nhulunbuy and the surrounding region. Under this agreement, these dwellings must be matched with an equivalent number of additional dwellings for non NTG occupancy
This major project directly aligns with the social, economic, and environmental priorities across the Northeast Arnhem region. It does so by stepping forward to address a chronic shortage of housing infrastructure that, left unaddressed, will repress the future of the Northeast Arnhem region.
Extensive regional economic research findings emphasise that this project will be an essential driver for our regional economy delivering outcomes of regional and national significance.
As an economy in transition, the coming years are expected to witness a period of significant economic growth and diversification through tourism, human services, green energy, manufacturing, defence, and border protection. New resource opportunities include traditional owner-led mining, agribusiness, land management, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, and creative industries.The economic potential for the future is bright but remains contingent on addressing the shortage of housing. Rirratjingu Investments are set to play a leading role in addressing this critical ingredient to the future for the region.
Rirratjingu Investments – Our Commercial Projects
Rirratjingu Business Centre
With Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation growing faster than ever before, and East Arnhem Land businesses looking to prosper, we recognised the need for a business centre in Nhulunbuy. We secured the contract for the old Rio Tinto “Wet Mess” facility and designed a multi-million-dollar refurbishment.
The Rirratjingu Business Centre is now a hub where RAC operations can thrive, and the facilities can support many businesses and organisations in the region. With multiple meeting rooms, conference rooms and shop front leases, the business centre provides many companies and organisations with the space the grow.
Lease opportunities at Rirratjingu Business Centre
Our business centre boasts solar power, air-conditioning, off-street parking, a common kitchen, and modern bathroom facilities in a prime Nhulunbuy location. To enquire about our shop front leases, office leases, or meeting room bookings, please contact East Arnhem Real Estate.
Yanawal Units
Rirratjingu Investments have invested in the construction of a 15-unit high quality short-term accommodation facility on the land of the Rirratjingu Business Centre. Yanawal Units will support businesses needing to accommodate visiting contractors and will allow travellers to rent holiday lets from a local business.
Workers Village
Rirratjingu Investments designed a purpose-built Workers Village at Wallaby Beach, 10 minutes from Nhulunbuy town centre. The camp provides short-term single-room accommodation with ensuites or private bathrooms, and access to a communal kitchen and laundry area.
This accommodation investment has provided local businesses with facilities for their visiting contractors and short-term accommodation options for travellers. To book a stay at The Workers Village , please contact East Arnhem Real Estate.
Future Investments
The Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation is committed to investing in both commercial and domestic projects across North East Arnhem Land to ensure the region prospers for generations to come. Under the guidance of RAC forefathers, our investment arm establishes the corporation as a strong and secure organisation to do business with.
In the future, Rirratjingu Investments will be established as the top service provider for Nhulunbuy housing and will have over 100 assets in the property market. Investing in Gove Peninsula real estate provides job opportunities, secure income and economic growth to the community.
Connect with Us
If you have any questions about Rirratjingu Investments or Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation’s business enterprises, please contact us.
