One deposit took three decades to be mined. Another took six months. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Ministers from the three states in the top end of Australia are singing from the same song sheet at the Developing Northern Australia Conference in Alice Springs: Strong primary industries, mostly mining and growing food, make for strong states which in turn make for a strong nation. Art, science and social issues don't get much of a look-in under the heading of development. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

The transfer to Aboriginal interests of vast parts of the Simpson Desert – a favourite place for off-road enthusiasts and naturalists – has also revived discussion about feral camels roaming there. Paddy McHugh, who has 40 years of experience in catching, training and internationally trading camels in The Centre says the herd of up to a million in the Simpson presents massive commercial opportunities, principally meat sales to Muslim countries. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Gentle giant Bob Talbot saved transport problems with ingenuity to the benefit of his many friends and admiring customers. He passed away much too early, writes friend MIKE GILLAM.

Measured as energy consumed per tonne of freight moved, road transport is four times more expensive than rail. This is likely to be a main factor of prices for goods in Alice Springs. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Design and maintenance of dwellings and the provision of affordable food are classic tasks of small business. After half a century of land rights it could be expected that Aboriginal people would have carved out an active role for themselves in these domains, especially in remote areas. This is not the case, as Warren Williams, Central Land Council chair, makes it clear. By ERWIN CHLANDA.

Pine Gap, 19 km south-west of Alice Springs, is regarded as the USA’s most important base on foreign soil. It has grown steadily in its 60 year history while intermittent protests have persisted in calling for its closure. But last weekend's “convergence” took place as geo politics have changed, claim the organisers. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Nearly 50,000 square kilometres of Australia's last frontier – two-thirds of Tasmania's size – has come under the control of the Central Land Council, privileged by Federal law to be operating outside public transparency, even Freedom of Information obligations. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. PHOTO from CLC: Jeffrey Doolan, Salbena Cleary, Jill Doolan and Richard Doolan checking pitfall traps.

Some enthralling sounds around us come from surprising sources.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Thankfully the annual fireworks fiasco is almost over, although we will still hear the occasional bang for some time to come. Does anyone try to monitor, or police the farcical “legal” time frame? I have been banging on for decades about this because my house came within an inch of burning down. THIS MUST STOP.

Charlie Carter, Alice Springs