Traditional Owners are carrying out a house-to-house survey on Groote Eylandt to find out what people need in their homes.

The team is led by Elma Yantarrnga and Ida Mamarika.

Household items needed range from fridges to bedding.

The survey is being run by Anindilyakwa Land Council’s Royalty Distribution Unit and supported by the Community Services Program.

“Everybody is being asked what they require,” says CSP manager Racheal Kleinschmidt.

Goods for distribution are being assembled by the land council’s warehouse staff.

Royalty payments from the South32-operated manganese mine on Groote are often referred to simply as 64-3.

This is because section 64-3 of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act NT mandates that an amount equivalent to 30 percent of the royalties received by the Northern Territory Government from the mine company is remitted to the land council from the Aboriginal Benefit Account twice a year, usually in February and August.

The amount of money depends on the production volume at the mine and the price of manganese. Funds are required by law to be used to support the economic and community development of Traditional Owners.