Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti tabled the first South West Native Title Settlement (Settlement) annual update in Parliament today.
The update highlights the significant progress made to implement the landmark native title agreement, between the Noongar people and the Western Australian Government.
The Settlement embodies the principles of the Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy, and the strong partnerships required to achieve the aspirations of the Noongar people. It is made up of six Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs), covering around 200,000 square kilometres of the South-West region.
The second of 12 annual State payments of $60 million - plus indexation - was made in April 2022 to the Noongar Boodja Trust (Trust) under the Settlement, taking the total paid to date to $123 million.
The State payments will be used to grow the Trust's value over time, for future Noongar generations to benefit. It will also finance the operations of the six Noongar Regional Corporations representing each of the ILUA groups, and the Central Services Corporation.
The South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) successfully transitioned to become the Central Services Corporation in June 2022, and the new Regional Corporations are expected to be appointed before the end of 2022.
The WA Government has coordinated efforts across multiple departments and agencies to deliver on early Settlement commitments, and prepare for the formal commencement of partnership arrangements following the establishment of the Noongar Corporations.
The WA Government, SWALSC and the Trust have also worked in partnership to significantly progress the establishment of the Noongar Governance Structure, and coordinate the successful implementation of early Settlement initiatives, particularly relating to the transfer of assets and heritage commitments.
Further updates of note include:
- a five-year process of transferring up to 320,000 hectares of Crown land - allowing it to be held and developed in line with Noongar cultural, social and economic aspirations - has now begun;
- 430 Noongar Standard Heritage Agreements being now in place with Government and industry land users, ensuring compliance with the Act and regulations when a planned use or activity may adversely impact an Aboriginal site; and
- the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions being set to execute six Cooperative Management Agreements - to partner with the Noongar community, and increase traditional knowledge and expertise in the management of the South-West conservation estate.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
"I am delighted to report positive outcomes from the first annual update on the progress of the Settlement - which reflects the strong working relationships between the WA Government, SWALSC, and the Noongar Boodja Trustee.
"This Settlement is the most comprehensive of its kind in Australian history, and something that our State is rightly very proud of.
"I look forward to starting the formal partnerships between the six new Noongar Regional Corporations, SWALSC and the WA Government - and the continued flow of benefits.
"The work to date will provide opportunities for generations of Noongar people - to achieve sustainable, self-determined social, economic and cultural outcomes.
"The unprecedented scale of the WA Government's investment in the Settlement - and the ongoing work of WA Government agencies - ensures that every effort is being made to realise the Settlement's vision and objectives."
