The timeframe

3 years

The work

Cape York Royalties Distribution Program

The client

The Western Cape Communities Trust (WCCT) serves as a mediator for the Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA), facilitating the implementation of the Indigenous Land Use agreement with Rio Tinto in Weipa, QLD. Under this agreement, the community receives recurring royalties payments, which are subsequently allocated to shareholders through grants, scholarships, and infrastructure initiatives.

The problem

The Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA) sought to enhance the efficiency of royalty payments distribution to ensure that rightful recipients received their entitlements. By transitioning away from manual entry databases, paper-based processes, and unreliable identity verification methods, WCCCA aimed to streamline the payment system.

This was particularly important for shareholders who often lacked access to commonly required identification documents such as driver's licenses, passports, and birth certificates. With the community spread across vast and remote areas, the previous distribution system posed challenges in accurately identifying and delivering payments to the appropriate individuals. WCCCA recognized the need for a more robust and reliable approach to ensure that royalties were distributed to the rightful recipients in a timely and secure manner.

The solution

A representative from HutSix traveled to Weipa, QLD to personally engage with the Western Cape Communities Trust (WCCT) team and gain firsthand insights into their operations and the unique community dynamics. In collaboration with WCCT, we developed a centralized online platform that efficiently manages the Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement (WCCCA), an Indigenous Land Use agreement with Rio Tinto in Weipa, QLD. Our solution streamlined the payment of royalties to shareholders by eliminating manual entry databases, paper-based processes, and unreliable identity verification methods. Recognizing the challenges faced by shareholders in accessing traditional identification documents, such as driver's licenses and passports, we implemented a secure identity verification system that leverages Facebook profiles as a consistent identifier within this demographic.

This innovative online application not only simplified the grant application process but also automated grant management, reducing the administrative burden on the finance team. It ensured accurate payments and facilitated easier quality checks and audits for the organization. With meticulous attention to detail, our dedicated developers crafted over 60,000 lines of code to create a bespoke solution that met the unique needs of WCCT and its stakeholders.

Through our collaboration, WCCT now has a robust and efficient system in place to manage royalties payments, distribute grants, and support infrastructure development. This transformative solution empowers the Western Cape Communities Trust to fulfill its role as a mediator and uphold the responsibilities outlined in the Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement, benefiting the shareholders, the community, and the Weipa region in QLD.

The results

The Royalties Distribution App developed by HutSix has greatly simplified the distribution process of royalties, totalling over $150,000 per month, for the Western Cape Communities Trust (WCCT) as part of the Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA) with Rio Tinto in Weipa, QLD. Acting as a mediator, WCCT ensures the fair allocation of royalties to shareholders through grants, scholarships, and infrastructure projects, as specified in the Indigenous Land Use agreement.

With the app's intuitive interface and user-friendly design, shareholders can easily access and apply for grants, providing a streamlined and efficient process. This digital solution eliminates the need for manual paperwork and unreliable methods of identity verification, allowing for more accurate and timely payments to be made to the appropriate recipients. The Royalties Distribution App has revolutionised the management of royalties, ensuring transparency, equity, and improved infrastructure development in the Western Cape Communities.

The progression

As the Western Cape Communities Trust (WCCT) mining royalties CRM continues to evolve, our focus is on empowering the traditional owners and closing the gap through effective data management and streamlined processes. The CRM acts as a mediator for the Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement (WCCCA), which includes the Indigenous Land Use agreement with Rio Tinto in Weipa, QLD. This agreement ensures regular royalties payments that are distributed among shareholders, supporting grants, scholarships, infrastructure, and initiatives to benefit the community.

Our ongoing collaboration with WCCT aims to further enhance the CRM's capabilities. We prioritise streamlining the invoicing process and integrating the CRM with accounting systems such as Xero or MYOB Advanced to automate financial information, reducing administrative burden and promoting efficiency. Additionally, we strive to enable offline functionality for grant applications, particularly in remote areas like Weipa, where internet access may be limited. This feature will empower users to work on their applications offline and submit them later when connectivity is available, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.

Furthermore, by automating regular reports and implementing tracking features, the CRM will facilitate comprehensive data collection, analysis, and reporting. This data-driven approach will provide valuable insights for strategic decision-making, funding compliance, and resource allocation, supporting the traditional owners' aspirations and closing the gap in Indigenous community development. Through our collaborative efforts, we are committed to supporting WCCT in their mission to effectively manage the Indigenous Land Use agreement, drive positive outcomes for the community, and contribute to the empowerment and prosperity of the traditional owners.