The Territory Government is delivering on its commitment to improve the lives of Aboriginal Territorians with today’s (April 11 2019) release of the Aboriginal Land and Sea Action Plan.
The comprehensive plan outlines 10 actions that will facilitate Aboriginal Territorians to pursue their social and economic aspirations through land and sea ownership, from supporting the resolution of the outstanding Aboriginal land claims to supporting traditional custodians to manage and maximise the opportunities their land and sea ownership provides.
Currently, 48 per cent of the Northern Territory’s land mass and 80 per cent of its coastline is Aboriginal land. The vast majority of remaining land is, or will likely be, subject to native title.
The new Aboriginal Land and Sea Action Plan proposes a partnership approach with the Commonwealth Government, traditional owners, the four NT land councils and other key stakeholders to progress some of these big issues.
The 10 actions under the new plan include:
1. Resolve all outstanding land claims
2. Resolve Blue Mud Bay fishing access arrangements
3. Progress the Aboriginal Land Commissioner’s recommended changes to the Land Rights Act, relating to exploration and mining on Aboriginal land
4. Develop an NT Government Native Title Policy Framework
5. Develop a strategic approach to tenure and other issues in mining towns that will eventually become Aboriginal land
6. Work to enhance the opportunities for long-term leasing on Aboriginal land
7. Support the management of Aboriginal Land
8. Support economic development and employment on Aboriginal land
9. Make improvements to NT legislation and administrative process
10. Support improvements to Commonwealth legislative processes.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Selena Uibo, announced the plan in Alice Springs this morning, where work is already underway with the Central Land Council in relation to the joint management of parks.
The Territory has 87 parks and reserves, many of which are jointly managed with traditional owners.
In 2018, three million people visited these parks, and the NT Government wants to work with both land councils and traditional owners to look at how the visitor experience in these parks could be improved.
Source: NT Government