Ali Mills is CEO of the Nhulunbuy Corporation, which manages Nhulunbuy township, industrial estate and airport in East Arnhem Land on behalf of Rio Tinto, on land leased from traditional owners.

We are unique because we provide services like municipal works, waste management, water, roads, airport, community development, sports facilities and animal control, funded mainly through rates, but we’re not actually a local government council. We are governed by a board of directors and advised by a town board comprising community, Rio Tinto and NT Government representatives.

Our isolated geography means it feels like we live on a tropical island, because the only way out during the pandemic was by plane. Very few flights were operating, and nobody could drive out due to biosecurity travel restrictions. We’re very reliant on barge and road transport for essential items and with air services greatly reduced, our postal deliveries were also delayed, sparking much conversation on social media (particularly with the huge increase in online shopping).

Traditional owners were concerned about COVID-19 reaching communities and homeland areas but the biosecurity zone was declared to protect them from that risk and we haven’t had any cases.

Corporation staff remained fully employed and we expedited some works programs originally due at the end of the year to keep the economy moving. We even created extra positions for people stood down, including two pilots who shovelled soft-fall material in playgrounds for a month, then worked for us at the airport. Other pilots stacked shelves at Woolworths to help them meet demand.

Air services, hospitality and tourism have been hard hit, but there’s been minimal impact in other industries. To support those affected, we worked alongside groups like Developing East Arnhem Limited and Rio Tinto on financial relief packages, “Buy Local” incentive schemes and programs linking job seekers with available vacancies.

I’m impressed by how our team has handled this crisis and by the level of innovation that’s emerged in the community.

Ali Mills
Chief Executive Officer
Nhulunbuy Corporation