LASTING SOLUTION NEEDED FOR WHITEGATE Tangentyere Council CEO Walter Shaw has called for all parties with responsibilities and interests in the welfare of Whitegate residents to come together to find a lasting solution to the issues regarding the living area. Mr Shaw said the water supply to Whitegate residents should be immediately turned back on as a gesture of humanity and goodwill while a solution to the complex issues around Whitegate are resolved. “There are many issues that need to be resolved concerning service provision and land tenure at Whitegate and for too long governments have put residents in the too hard basket. “Whitegate is becoming another town camp albatross around the neck of the Northern Territory Government. “These people are not squatters. They are native title holders and as such deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. “They should not continue to be sentenced to an uncertain future because of a lack of Government will. “Despite not receiving funding to support Whitegate, Tangentyere Council has continued to provide support to residents, including donating a refurbished demountable, delivering some municipal services and advocating for their interests. “Since the NT Government turned off the water to residents, Tangentyere has twice refilled that water community water supply. “Unfortunately we can no longer afford to do this. “The bottom line is that Whitegate residents deserve to receive essential services. “The NT Government’s refusal to do so because senior native title holders do not have tenure over their traditional lands is an impasse that must be fixed. “The NT Government should be taking a leadership role and calling all parties to the table to negotiate a solution to the Whitegate land tenure issues. “Crown land is often rezoned so there is no reason the land tenure over Whitegate cannot be changed if the Government has the will to do so. “Organisations such as Lhere Artepe and the Central Land Council have responsibilities towards native title holders. I understand they have been talking with the NT Government around the issue of tenure for Whitegate residents in relation to negotiations around extending the Alice Springs landfill site. “While these talks are going on there should be assistance provided to provide municipal services and water to Whitegate. “It is a disgrace that a gun club can get water while the health and welfare of native title holders are put in jeopardy.” September 10, 2014 For media comment please contact Walter Shaw on 8951 4212
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:44:06 +0000
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