Consultation news
Multicultural Mintabie
Mintabie is a small, multicultural community of about 100 people, located on Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. And the people who live here see it as a big extended family – you don’t need to use your indicators, because everybody knows where you’re going.
Yet at the same time, it has virtually no mobile phone coverage, no grid power, and no mains water. And the community is under stress. The local clinic has been closed since February. Young people have to leave town to find work and there are issues with the renegotiation of the Mintabie lease with APY landowners.
However, as locals told us, this wasn’t always the case. Ten years ago, the town was thriving – the pub had meals on every day, and the services provided to the community (health, education) were of a high standard.
This history has, understandably, had a significant impact on the particular concerns and rights identified for discussion by the community. And while the people of Mintabie identified a number of rights that need greater protection, they also expressed concern about the possible cost of rights protection if it involves having to go to court.
Thank you to Mintabie for sharing the engaging story of your community with us.
Tammy Williams and Frank Brennan