NT - Gove - Important Information from Lynne Walker, Gove, NT.
From Lynne Walker from Gove. - Useful Additional
Information - Gove, NT
From: Lynne Walker
As a resident of Gove for some eight and a
half years and as a Nabalco employee, I beg to differ over the accuracy
of some of the information offered....
* the trip on the Bulman track is actually quite a
comfortable journey of some 8 or 9 hours from Gove to Katherine.
Because the track is well maintained for dry season travellers, it is
not uncommon to see conventional 2WD vehicles come into town, though I
don't think I'd recommend it! Also, to the best of my knowledge, fuel
can be purchased at Bulman Station on route.
* Yuungu, which is actually spelt Yolngu, is simply a
word that means Aboriginal people (like Koori in NSW), it is not the
name of a clan of which there are 13 in the East Arnhem Region.
* Nabalco actually committed to spend $320M which included
not only the mine and infrastructure of a township but construction of
the refinery. Replacement cost of the mining operation, plant and port
facilities and the town would be around $2 billion in today's terms.
* The town of Nhulunbuy was not completed in 1969 but
rather this is when construction started. The first ore was stockpiled
in May 1971 and the alumina plant officially opened on July 1 1972 by
PM William McMahon
* Your royalties figure is way out. Currently the
participants in the Gove Joint Venture (Swiss Aluminium Australia
Limited & Gove Aluminium Ltd) pay $9.5M p.a.
* For tourists I think you miss some other important
points. Walkabout Lodge is not the only accommodation in town. There
is also the Gove Peninsula Motel and numerous car hire options as well
as fishing charter operators.
* In addition to the Northern Land Council people
also need to know about Dhimurru Land Management. They are the body
who maintain recreation areas in the region beyond Nabalco's lease
area. Residents and visitors alike are required to purchase a
recreation permit. For visitors it is $11 and is valid for 2 months.
* I would like to send you more information about
Nabalco's operation and will endeavour to obtain further info from the
East Arnhem Tourist Assoc. This place is huge for fishing. It is also
Australia's best kept secret. I have never been anywhere in my life
where on certain days my family and I can have a whole stretch of beach
(or inland freshwater river) all to ourselves.
You've got to see this place to believe it. Unreal.
Regards
Lynne Walker
Editorial comment: We have changed some of the
information which is clearly incorrect. Ms Walker's comments make the
area very tempting.
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