Collaborative pastoral innovation program in the Pilbara
Meat & Livestock Australia has partnered with Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC to launch a multi-year collaborative innovation program in the Pilbara, in Western Australia, targeting sustainable pastoral development, Indigenous employment, and market-led growth.
The initiative brings together MLA and Karlka Pastoral, which manages the Nyiyaparli People’s pastoral interests across Ethel Creek, Marillana (BHP sublease) and Walagunya stations.
The partnership will co design and implement an innovation strategy intended to support long term commercial performance while delivering social, cultural and environmental benefits. The program is structured to build innovation capability across KNAC’s pastoral operations and explore new value chains aligned with community priorities.
Karlka Pastoral operates across more than 830,000 hectares of Nyiyaparli Country and runs approximately 10,000 head of cattle. The enterprise is Indigenous led, with a stated focus on economic self-determination, caring for Country, and creating employment for Aboriginal people.
Key Points
- MLA partners with KNAC on multi year Collaborative Co Innovation Program
- Focus on sustainable pastoral development, Indigenous employment, and new markets
- Karlka Pastoral manages interests at Ethel Creek, Marillana, and Walagunya
- Program spans more than 830,000 hectares and 10,000 head of cattle
- Joint governance with milestones, indicators, and regular reviews
- Triple Bottom Line framework to assess economic, environmental, social outcomes
Program focus areas
Over the life of the program, MLA and KNAC will work collaboratively across priority areas designed to link commercial outcomes with cultural and environmental stewardship. These include:
- Training and employment pathways for Nyiyaparli and other local Aboriginal people, including engagement with schools and early career development
- Regenerative land management and conservation, working alongside KNAC Rangers to support sustainable rangeland practices
- Exploration of vertically integrated value chains, including branded beef opportunities that tell the story of Country, culture and community
- Carbon management and emissions reduction, including development of baselines and pathways toward improved environmental performance
- Cultural and eco tourism opportunities linked to pastoral operations and Country
Statements from partners
MLA’s Project Manager for Innovation Capability, Joshua Whelan, said the partnership gave an opportunity to co-design innovation that respects culture and Country and delivers commercial success.
“This partnership recognises the strength of Indigenous leadership”
— Joshua Whelan, Meat & Livestock Australia
“This partnership recognises the strength of Indigenous leadership in pastoral businesses and the opportunity to co design innovation that delivers commercial success while respecting culture and Country,” Mr Whelan said.
“Working together with Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC allows us to support pathways for Indigenous employment, sustainable land management and new value adding opportunities that can benefit the broader industry.”
KNAC CEO, Cate Ballantyne, said the partnership advances the long-term aspirations of the Nyiyaparli People to create jobs in the pastoral industry and embed Traditional Owners’ land management practices across operations.
“Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC is pleased to partner with MLA to support the aspirations of Nyiyaparli People to deliver pastoral industry employment pathways for our mob and to embed the land management and caring for country practices of Traditional Owners,” Ms Ballantyne said.
KNAC Chairperson, Michael Stream, said the agreement builds on a history of station work among community members and opens pathways for future generations to gain skills and experience on Country.
“Many of us have grown up working on stations, and this partnership creates exciting opportunities for our kids to have those experiences, to build those skills, and to do it on our Country. We look forward to working with MLA to co design the next chapter of our pastoral business,” Mr Stream said.
“It creates exciting opportunities for our kids”
— Michael Stream, KNAC Chairperson
Industry implications
Beyond supporting the growth of Karlka Pastoral, the collaboration is designed to generate insights for other Indigenous led and northern pastoral enterprises across Australia.
By testing innovation capability, market development and sustainable land management approaches in a real-world operating environment, the program aims to provide practical and scalable knowledge for the broader red meat industry.
The partnership’s emphasis on vertically integrated value chains, branded beef linked to Country and culture, and measurable environmental performance is intended to align pastoral operations with market expectations while reinforcing cultural narratives and community priorities.
About Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC is the Native Title body representing the Nyiyaparli People, Traditional Owners of approximately 36,684 square kilometres of land and waters in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia. Through Karlka Pastoral, the organisation manages a growing pastoral enterprise aligned with community, cultural and economic aspirations.
