- 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
The Cook Labor 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).
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.
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.
As stated by Planning and Lands Minister John Carey:
"The Cook Government is committed to providing appropriate land tenure that supports Aboriginal communities and Native Title owners across the State to create opportunities for employment, training and sustainable self-management.
"Under stewardship of the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation, these land transfers will support connection to Country and enhance social and cultural outcomes for the Ngarinyin people."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
"This agreement represents 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."
Comments attributed to Kimberley Minister Stephen Dawson:
"This land transfer is a significant step forward for the Ngarinyin people, opening up the potential for economic development which will benefit their community and provide connection to Country.
"The Cook Government will always look for opportunities to grow economic, cultural, and social benefits for the Kimberley."
Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"This significant new ILUA will help to unlock new, sustainable social and economic opportunities for the Ngarinyin people.
"The agreement paves the way for more than 1.4 million hectares of land to be transferred back to Traditional Owners, supporting ongoing connection to Country and empowering them to manage these lands for the long-term benefit of their communities."
As stated by Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation Chair Arnold Sahanna:
"We welcome 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."
