Traditional owners in the Northern Territory have secured a historic lease agreement with the federal government that gives the indigenous community full control of their land.
The 99-year, multimillion-dollar lease covers the East Arnhem Land township of Gunyangara on the Gove Peninsula, and has been almost a decade in the making.
Under a new model, the head lease will be held by a community-owned Aboriginal corporation instead of a government bureaucrat.
That's a fundamental shift away from arrangements already in place on Groote Eylandt and the Tiwi Islands, where a government officer has the ultimate say in who gets a sub-lease.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion says the "groundbreaking" deal means traditional owners are in the driver's seat when it comes to decisions about their land, including future commercial developments, home ownership and land use issues.
He said it unlocks opportunities for the Gumatj people "by enabling better land administration and individual leasing that is transferable and mortgageable.
"This model of township leasing can be a beacon for other traditional owners across the Northern Territory who want to take on responsibility for their land and break free from current barriers in land tenure," Mr Scullion said.
The Country Liberals senator for the NT said the outcome was a tribute to the leadership, vision and strength of Aboriginal leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu.
Mr Yunupingu, who heads the Gumatj clan of the region's Yolngu people, said the deal would act as a springboard to build wealth for his people.
"Aboriginal people must be responsible for the development of their own communities and their own destiny," he told News Corp.
"We will continue to encourage business development and job creation in the community, as work is the key to a person's future."
Mr Yunupingu said alcohol will be banned in public areas, while gambling and kava is outlawed completely.
"We will tackle marijuana abuse, which is a problem for our youth, with renewed energy," he said.
It's the first township lease to be approved by the Northern Land Council, and chief executive Joe Morrison wants to ensure traditional owners are empowered amid the current government push to develop northern Australia.
"It doesn't matter if its a big mine, a prawn farm or an expansion of the Ord River - it's got to consider Aboriginal interests," he told AAP.
"They've been living there for tens of thousands of years, and there should be the right level of policy settings and support for Aboriginal people to develop those lands, not just a focus on third parties and foreign investors."
