Pathways for Indigenous socio-economic development in the Beetaloo region of the Northern Territory

The development of a shale gas industry in the Beetaloo Sub-basin of the Northern Territory brings potential social and economic opportunities to the region. However, for Aboriginal communities, who make up the majority of the region’s population, the pathway to realising these opportunities is uncertain and complex.

This project will work with rights holders and stakeholders in the Beetaloo region to look at how economic opportunities from shale gas and other projects (agriculture, renewables, etc) can support the aspirations, values, and priorities of Aboriginal communities.

This project will consider existing governance instruments (including local decision-making frameworks, community strategic plans and Indigenous land use agreements) to understand what mechanisms for economic engagement currently exist, their implementation status, and alignment with self-determination objectives. Comparisons will be made to similar Indigenous-controlled development strategies in resource regions in Australia and internationally.

Project outcomes will help identify the types of opportunities and benefits that can be pursued in the region, and what mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives are needed to enable these communities to take greater control of their development pathways.