Agreement to unlock opportunities for Kimberley’s Ngarinyin people
The WA State Government has committed the transfer of more than 1.4 million hectares of land within the Wanjina-Wunggurr Wilinggin Native Title determination area to Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation, on behalf of the Ngarinyin Traditional Owners.
The transfer is part of the newly registered Wilinggin Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA).
More than 1.4 million hectares of land transferred
The ILUA between the State Government and the Ngarinyin Traditional Owners will facilitate the transfer of land across Wilinggin Country in the Kimberley, including nine properties from the Aboriginal Lands Trust amounting to more than 40,000 hectares.
More than 1.4 million hectares of Crown land to be transferred to Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation as part of new Indigenous Land Use Agreement
Transfer includes Karunjie and Durack River pastoral leases along Gibb River Road
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch said the agreement represented an important step towards economic independence and self-management for the Ngarinyin people, opening opportunities that have the potential to be transformational for those living on Wilinggin Country today and into the future.
“It also demonstrates this government’s ongoing commitment to divesting the vast majority of the Aboriginal Lands Trust estate and supporting better outcomes for all Indigenous Western Australians,” he added.
Two significant pastoral leases, spanning over half a million hectares in total and situated along the iconic Gibb River Road, will also be transferred to the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation who will manage the land on behalf of the Traditional Owners.
The ILUA effectively returns control over these lands to the Ngarinyin people, enabling them to carry out land and cultural management activities that will drive social, cultural and economic benefits for their community.
Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation Chair Arnold Sahanna said his organisation welcomed the completion of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement process between Wilinggin and the State Government.
“I thank the government for the constructive and innovative way that the ILUA negotiations were carried out and look forward to future opportunities where the State and Wilinggin can build on the achievements of today’s outcomes,” he said.
