Aboriginal people on Cape York are branching out into the timber business as Rio Tinto expands its bauxite operations in far north Queensland. Source: The Australian
In an unprecedented partnership with the international miner, the traditional Wik and Wik Way people have set up a company with federal assistance that will produce up to 125,000 tonnes of timber for export and the domestic markets every year.
The timber will be collected as land is cleared as part of Rio Tinto’s expansion of its existing bauxite operations on the northwest part of Cape York.
Wik Timber, which is run by traditional owners, will harvest the timber that would otherwise be discarded as the miner clears about 1500ha a year as part of its “south of Weipa’’ expansion of its 50-year-old bauxite operation.
The enterprise is a breakthrough for the Wik people, who had previously advocated for ownership of a nearby bauxite reserve, under state control, to help ensure economic autonomy for local Aboriginal communities.
Wik Timber spokeswoman Gina Castelain said the company — set up with the help of a $2.7 million from the Turnbull government’s Indigenous Entrepreneurs Fund — would provide Aboriginal employment for years.
The company has begun harvesting, and a commercial log shipment is scheduled for next month. As exports ramp-up, the company plans to hire 70 local people.
“Our people have been training in preparation and now we can move forward and get real jobs,” Ms Castelain said. “Traditional owners have made it clear they do not want these forests burnt to waste and want to make good use of them.’’
Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion said the government had stepped in with financial assistance because of a reluctance of the banks to back enterprise in remote Australia.
