Melville Island Fishing Lodge – Tiwi Islands Adventures

When the previous owners of the Melville Island Fishing Lodge, Tiwi Islands Adventures, notified the community that they were planning to sell the business, Wulirankuwu Traditional Owners saw a business opportunity that would create jobs and economic development for the community. The Office assisted the Wulirankuwu Traditional Owners to negotiate the first right to purchase the Lodge (a benefit enabled by the Executive Director’s role as the Head Lessee) and worked with key stakeholders to identify funding for the purchase. The Office also facilitated a business evaluation and social impact survey to support the Family Group to make an informed decision about the proposed purchase, including any potential risks, unintended consequences and benefits that may result from the purchase.

Working in partnership with the Office, the Tiwi Land Council, and NIAA, the Wulirankuwu Traditional Owners were able to access funding through the Australian Government’s $100 million COVID 19 stimulus package for Indigenous Businesses and Jobs in the NT to purchase the Lodge in 2021. The Lodge officially opened under new ownership in March 2022. The Executive Director engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers Indigenous Consulting (PIC) to work with Wulirankuwu Pty Ltd to develop an Income and Investment Management Plan for the Lodge and their other assets on the Tiwi Islands.

The Lodge has received excellent reviews to date, and is booked through to late December, with a number of existing customer bookings also in place for 2023. The Lodge is working closely with community to provide training and employment opportunities for residents of Milikapiti. Staff trained at the Lodge will also be able to work at the new Wulirankuwu Motel, which is anticipated to open for guests in the second half of 2022. The Motel will provide short term accommodation for tourists, contractors and government officials visiting the community, as well as long term accommodation for staff from other organisations and businesses operating within the community.

Business planning and support facilitated by the Office has ensured the operating model for both the Lodge and the Motel has a strong focus on Tiwi Initiatives. The Lodge is also working closely with Jilamara Arts, connecting tourists staying at the Lodge with the local art centre through free shuttle bus services. This has opened up access to the art centre and is anticipated to increase in-store revenue for Jilamara Arts.

The early success of the Melville Island Fishing Lodge is a prime example of community led social and economic development in remote communities, including real jobs and the flow on effect for other businesses and the local economy. Like the Mantiyupwi businesses, the new Wulirankuwu businesses are breaking down misconceptions that economic development is not feasible in remote communities.