THE first agreement for 40-year leases over Aboriginal townships has been signed in the Northern Territory.

Three remote communities on Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria will hand over their land in exchange for more than $25 million in health, housing and education initiatives.

It is a watered down version of the Howard government's controversial 99-year lease proposal to stimulate economic development in indigenous communities.

Nguiu, in the Tiwi Islands, is the only community to sign up to the scheme.

Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has flagged rolling out the modified scheme in Aboriginal communities across Australia.

Under today's historic Regional Partnership Agreement, Ms Macklin said the federal and NT governments would provide more than $25 million to build 26 new houses and improve education outcomes.

She said the 40-year lease scheme provided “a solid foundation for development”.

“We've agreed to a new approach to township leasing,” she said in Darwin.

“This is a very significant advance on the part of the people of Groote Eylandt. They recognise that going down this path, providing secure land tenure to business, they will be able to see an increase in the businesses that will come to the island.”

She also opened the Tiwi Island's first residential boarding facility, providing accommodation for up to 36 students.

It was built using $16 million of federal government funds as part of the 99-year lease signed on Nguiu.

During a brief visit to Darwin, Ms Macklin announced $2 million for a Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk to be based in Katherine.

It's aimed at cracking down on criminal activity and drug running in Top End communities, including East Arnhem, Nhulunbuy and Groote Eylandt.

NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson said drug traffickers had targeted remote communities in the wake of the alcohol bans under the federal government's intervention to combat chid sex abuse.

“When you talk to women out (in remote Aboriginal communities) they are very concerned about the amount of marijuana,” he said.

“If you are trying to prey on these people, if you are trying to target remote communities because you can make more money out of selling dope, well your chances of getting caught have been significantly increased.”

- AAP

Source: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23730320-2702,00.html