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Tiwi Land Council and Executive Director of Township Leasing Restriction of Entry to the Tiwi Islands

18 March 2020
COVID-19
Update Coronavirus (COVID-19)

A Restriction of Entry for the Tiwi Islands has been issued from 18 March 2020 and will remain in place until further notice.

Joint Media Release

Office of Township Leasing

Tiwi Land Council

A Restriction of Entry for the Tiwi Islands has been issued from 18 March 2020 and will remain in place until further notice.

At the direction of the Tiwi Land Council, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Tipungwuti, has determined that, in response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus threat, all existing non-essential permits to the land and seas within the Tiwi Aboriginal Land Trust region are revoked and no new non-essential permits will be granted until further notice.

The revocation of permits applies to all areas across Bathurst and Melville Islands administered in the Tiwi Land Trust region and includes public access to homelands and the Tiwi College at Pickataramoor.

In addition, the Executive Director of Township Leasing, Ms Pennie Weedon, has issued a Restriction of Entry for the following remote Indigenous communities on the Tiwi Islands:

  • Wurrumiyanga (Nguiu) on Bathurst Island
  • Wurankuwu (Ranku) on Bathurst Island
  • Milikapiti (Snake Bay) on Melville Island
  • Pirlangimpi (Garden Point) on Melville Island

The decision by the Executive Director of Township Leasing to restrict access to Wurrumiyanga, Wurankuwu, Milikapiti and Pirlangimpi has been requested by the Traditional Owners who are concerned about protecting their elders and others who are vulnerable due to health conditions, and is made with the agreement of the Tiwi Land Council and the Tiwi Aboriginal Land Trust.

The decision by the Executive Director of Township Leasing is also a determination under Subsection 70F(12) of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 imposing temporary restrictions for the purpose of protecting public health.

Exemptions for all areas apply to Tiwi Island families and other residents of the communities returning home; personnel delivering emergency and essential services, and to other personnel to ensure business continuity of existing service delivery who are not demonstrating any health issues.

Other exemptions will be determined by the Tiwi Land Council and the Executive Director of Township Leasing on a case by case basis.

It is expected that all service delivery agencies will ensure Commonwealth and Northern Territory public health advice is followed and that all agency personnel currently operating on the Tiwi Islands adhere to official protocols in order to protect the health of community members.

Please note if you are unwell for any reason then medical clearance will be required. For any medical assistance please seek support from a professional health service.