An assistance package offered by a mining company to a small town in NT may be expanded with extra Federal Government help.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles says he will bring Federal Government authorities and Rio Tinto representative together in one room to try and get more support for the town of Nhulunbuy.

A recent decision by Rio Tinto to close the Gove alumina refinery will decimate the town of Nhulunbuy, for which the plant was the prime provider.

Rio Tinto has offered Nhulunbuy residents discounted rates, sewerage and rubbish charges to help deal with the loss of future income, but Mr Giles wants more long-term support.

“The Australian Government has now become more engaged to be able provide assistance,” Mr Giles says.

“I think when the three of us sit down in the same room there will be an opportunity to put out a broader package.”

ACTU president Ged Kearney agrees that the Rio Tinto package is not enough and that the government, Territory or Federal, should step in.

“What people need is a job to survive long-term,” he said.

“They need assistance in getting that job, they need assistance with re-skilling if that's necessary.

“They need real investment in them and that is not what we're seeing from this Federal Government or ... Territory Government.”

One resident interviewed by the ABC said he would leave the town after losing his job, giving up his home of eighteen years. The local man said community organisations will suffer first.

“There will certainly have to be some amalgamations of associations, and rationalisation,” he said.

“Some of them will just fail.

“That is tough on the people who are left ... the kind of town they are going to inherit.”