ABORIGINES OFFER CENTURY PEACE
10.09.1996
ABORIGINAL negotiators have put a proposal to the Queensland Government which, if accepted by CRA, would allow the $1.1 billion Century Zinc mine in the state's north to proceed.
The plan will enable Century to construct a slurry pipeline from the mine site north-west of Mt Isa to the export prawning port of Karumba.
The pipeline has been a major stumbling block in negotiations, with Aboriginal people insisting it run east to Townsville. They were concerned about possible pollution problems for major fisheries breeding grounds in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Century Zinc Ltd spokesman Jim Singer said last night he was "not aware of any deal'' between Aboriginal groups and the Government.
Mr Singer said Century Zinc was negotiating with the United Gulf Region Aboriginal Corporation to hand over 100 per
cent ownership of two cattle properties owned by the company _ Pendine and Konka _ to Gulf Aborigines.
"The other three will be handed over in a staged manner with Aboriginal groups having a controlling interest,'' Mr Singer said.
"There would be an opportunity for them to have ownership of about 99 percent.''
The reported proposal by Aborigines involves CRA handing over to traditional owners total ownership in five large cattle properties it owns _ Riversleigh, Lawn Hill, Pendine,Konka and Turn Off Lagoons.
Agreement must also be reached with the State Government on
leasehold pastoral properties on the pipeline route.
Proposals include the Government acquiring the properties including Gregory Downs, Kunkulla, Floraville, Wemadinga, Inverleigh and Mogowra perhaps as national park land and handing over ownership to Aborigines.
Estimates put the value of the properties including those already owned by CRA at about $20 million.
In earlier attempts to get the mine started, Century offered a package totalling $60 million to Aboriginal people, but did not offer total land ownership.
Further negotiations will include the rights of Aboriginal people to jobs and service contracts on the site and would require the employment and training of Aboriginals in "meaningful work positions''.
The proposal follows talks over the past two months between state government representatives and Aboriginal groups headed by ATSIC deputy chairman Ray Robinson, Carpentaria Land Council co-ordinator Murrandoo Yanner and Carp
entaria Land Council administrator Clarence Waldron.
Mr Yanner said last night Aborigines would have to control the major service contracts for the mine including fuel supply and transport, four-wheel-drive supply, catering and air freight.
""What we want are solid contracts that banks will recognise so we can establish proper businesses that provide training and lifetime jobs for Aboriginal people,'' Mr Yanner said.
Part of the proposal entails mine representatives, anthropologists
and traditional owners ""walking'' the proposed pipeline route to estab
lish any sacred sites which might be disturbed.
The Aboriginal people have proposed that CRA and the State
Government pay $2000 a kilometre for the ""walk'' _ a total of almost $800,000.
Aboriginal leaders yesterday criticised the appointment of former governor-general Bill Hayden to head the State Government's negotiating team.
Mr Robinson asked what credentials Mr Hayden had which recommended him for the job.
"I've met Bill Hayden a couple of times. We're very wary and
dubious about him,'' Mr Robinson said.
"What's he ever done for Aboriginal people? Why should Aborigines trust Bill Hayden?
"He made a statement recently in support of (Independent MHR) Pauline Hanson and you know what we think of her.
"We've all but delivered the deal here. There's no impasse. Any
impasse is a figment of the Queensland Government's imagination.
"We put our proposition to the State Government more than a month ago. If it is not accepted, it's off to the Native Title Tribunal.''
Mr Yanner said: ""We have put up a proposal and we will negotiate openly and in good faith with CRA and Mr Hayden. But in reality Bill Hayden means nothing up here.
"He doesn't hold one shred of credibility.
