Lands and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt has approved the transfer of 107 hectares of land in Kununurra, subject to the negotiation of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement, to support new social and economic opportunities for the Miriuwung Gajerrong people.
The Minister was in Kununurra to confirm the approval and meet with traditional owners to discuss future land use opportunities.
The intended transfer will create a reserve by amalgamating three lots of land, totalling 107 hectares, including one parcel of Aboriginal Lands Trust estate, located on Weaber Plains Road.
The proposed divestment returns management for a protected cultural heritage site to the Miriuwung and Gajerrong people and includes a $200,000 grant for fencing to be installed to prevent unauthorised public access.
MG Dawang Land Pty Ltd will manage the new reserve as trustee for MG Dawang Land Trust.
MG Corporation will work with traditional owners to protect sacred sites on the reserve and create opportunities on the remaining land to provide direct employment and economic benefits for the Miriuwung and Gajerrong people.
The existing Mirima community, located south of the proposed new reserve, does not form part of this agreement.
The Aboriginal Lands Trust covers some 23 million hectares or 8.7 per cent of State land.
The Aboriginal Lands Trust has been charged with reforming land tenure and divestment of the estate to support the long-term aspirations of native title holders and Aboriginal residents.
Since 2017, 48 properties have been approved for divestment from the Aboriginal Lands Trust estate to Aboriginal people, of which six have formally been transferred.
This opens new opportunities for Aboriginal people by returning management of land to traditional owners. Negotiations are currently underway on a further 150 properties under the Aboriginal Lands Trust Divestment Program.
Source: WA Government