The Northern Land Council has rejected claims made by Equatorial Launch Australia in its announcement of plans to cease operations at the Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory and relocate to Weipa, Queensland.
ELA attributed the relocation to delays allegedly caused by the NLC, but the Council maintains these claims are inaccurate and misleading.
NLC chair Matthew Ryan expressed disappointment in ELA's handling of the situation, emphasising the importance of balancing development with the protection of cultural and sacred sites.
"It is vital for Countrymen, and in the interest of all Australians, that sacred and cultural sites are protected and at the same time Aboriginal people are included in and benefit from economic developments on their Country," he said.
"This can only be achieved through upholding the thorough Section 19 Agreement process, facilitated by the NLC."
The ASC, located on the Arnhem Land Aboriginal Land Trust, was established to position Australia as a key player in the global space industry.
Its strategic location near the equator enables efficient rocket launches, attracting both national and international attention.
The project was also designed to deliver economic and educational benefits to Aboriginal communities in East Arnhem Land, including job creation, training opportunities, and local infrastructure development.
However, since September 2023, negotiations between ELA and the NLC over the terms of an expansion agreement have faced significant hurdles.
The NLC has statutory obligations under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act to ensure free, prior, and informed consent from Traditional Owners for any activities on Aboriginal land.
According to the council, delays were caused by ELA's failure to provide necessary information, breaches of previous agreements, and attempts to circumvent protections for sacred sites.
Mr Ryan criticised ELA's approach.
"Our people will not be pushed into cutting corners for outside business timelines, nor can we jeopardise cultural obligations, our Country, or the hard-won Land Rights of our people," he said.
The NLC also raised concerns about ELA's decision to relocate to Queensland, where the Aboriginal Land Rights Act does not apply.
"We stand with our East Arnhem-based Council Members and all the clans of East Arnhem Land, when we say that we are very disappointed with how ELA has handled this," Mr Ryan said.
"Especially the false timeline they are sharing and how they have obviously been working behind-the-scenes with Queensland – where they don't have the Aboriginal Land Rights Act to make sure Aboriginal Lands are respected and protected, and where they already have that appointed Coordinator to dangerously rush things through."
The ASC was originally envisioned as a project that could bring transformative change to the region, balancing the technical benefits of a spaceport with cultural and economic opportunities for local Traditional Owners.
While the NLC acknowledges the potential benefits of the space centre, it reiterated its commitment to protecting sacred sites and ensuring Aboriginal people are central to decision-making on their land.
"The NLC has worked hard to keep this ASC agreement moving and always communicate with ELA through what has been a complicated but really important process," Mr Ryan added.
The NLC emphasised that its role is to uphold the Land Rights Act and ensure Traditional Owners are fully informed and included in negotiations.
The council remains committed to facilitating agreements that respect Aboriginal rights, protect cultural heritage, and deliver long-term benefits to communities.
ELA's departure highlights the challenges of balancing industrial development with the legal and cultural obligations required on Aboriginal land.
