The number of micro-enterprise, private business, Government and community development activities occurring on Aboriginal land is increasing.
Aboriginal land is private property owned under special freehold title. It is inalienable – in other words, it cannot be bought, acquired or forfeited.
For the most part, Aboriginal landowners with inalienable Aboriginal freehold have the exclusive power to control the direction and pace of development on their lands. The public, in the form of Government at various levels, has only limited rights to impose external development or conservation direction or constraints.
Under the Land Rights Act, decisions over the use of Aboriginal land must have the consent of the traditional owners as a group and ratified by the Land Council. Aboriginal land in the Northern Land Council area is held as inalienable Aboriginal freehold – the strongest form of title in Australia.
The nature of Aboriginal inalienable tenure differs from mainstream definition of private land inasmuch as such land cannot be bought or sold. It can however be leased from the Aboriginal Land Trusts (which hold title) to Aboriginal corporations or to non-Aboriginal interests with the informed consent of traditional owners.
The Land Rights Act sets out processes which require the Northern Land Council to ensure that informed consent has been given and that terms and conditions are reasonable.
Powers of Control
For the most part, Aboriginal landowners with inalienable Aboriginal freehold have the exclusive power to control the direction and pace of development on their lands. The public, in the form of Government at various levels, has only limited rights to impose external development or conservation direction or constraints.
Land Council Role
Because of the communal form of land ownership, it is unlikely that a single individual or even a single group has an absolute right to approve a business activity carried out on Aboriginal land, particularly where that activity involves substantial interference and disturbance to 'country'.
Relations within a landowning group and between groups may be diverse and complex, reflecting the richness and complexity of Aboriginal tradition and Aboriginal peoples' relationship with their land. The Land Council's role is to ensure, as far as possible, that Aboriginal culture, traditions and law are respected and followed on Aboriginal land; that the relevant Aboriginal people make informed decisions and that commercial and resource exploitation agreements are fair. The Land Council must be satisfied that the relevant traditional Aboriginal landowners understand the nature and content of any land use agreement which is entered on their behalf and that they agree to it.
The relevant provisions of the Land Rights Act are Part IV in the case of mining and sections 19 and 23 in the case of other business operations.
Role of Councils and Associations
It is important to note that except where leases or licences have been issued to Aboriginal community councils or resource agencies, these incorporated bodies have no legal interest in land, nor control over its development, with that right remaining firmly in the hands of groups of landowners as defined by the application of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act and Aboriginal customary law.
Even a well-established Aboriginal organisation may not have the mandate to make decisions about land without reference to the landowning group. Applications for land use or commercial developments on Aboriginal land should be made through the Land Council, not through a local council, association or resource agency. See Section 19 Land Use Agreements
Land Use Agreements
The process of entering a land use agreement or joint venture for Aboriginal land takes time, it can be expensive and a high level of openness and financial disclosure is required of the proponent.
Businesses need to follow all the relevant procedures to comply with the Land Rights Act, have financial security, security of tenure and a genuine and lasting relationship with the Aboriginal landowners concerned.
Some examples of existing Land Use Agreements include agreements for a diamond mine, pearl farms, crabbing ventures, safari hunting, retail stores, commercial filming and infrastructure development.
Process
A detailed business proposal is required, including a business plan, financial projections, proposals for payments, local employment, joint venture proposals and other benefits to the relevant Aboriginal land owners and environmental impacts.
The Northern Land Council will consider the proposal and may request further information from the proponent, an environmental study and/or expert analysis.
Where preliminary inquiries indicate that traditional Aboriginal owners may be interested in a particular business proposal, the proponent will be invited to contribute to the Land Council's expenses in carrying out consultations with traditional Aboriginal owners. This usually takes the form of reimbursing the costs of bringing the traditional Aboriginal owners and affected communities and groups together for a meeting or meetings, which are preferably held on the land concerned. A contribution to the legal costs of the Land Council/Land Trust is usually sought on a "user pays" basis.
Steps after Consent of Traditional Owners
Land Use Agreements where the term is less than two years may be entered upon the direction of a delegate of the Land Council, that is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or the relevant regional Council.
The Land Rights Act requires that longer and larger agreements must be approved by the Full Council of the Northern Land Council, which meets twice a year.
Agreements where the term could exceed 10 years or consideration could be more than $100,000 require the consent of the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Affairs.
Any enquiries or proposals for business development on Aboriginal land should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Land Council.
Work Permits
Work permits issued by the Northern Land Council only authorise the holder to work in a specific area. If you wish to fish and camp at any time during the job, you must also have a recreational permit.
Government contractors: All Government contractors or sub-contractors need to fill out a permit application form, stating what Government department they are doing the contract for, along with a phone number for the department.
Self-employed contractors: Self-employed contractors need to complete an application form for a work permit and also supply a supporting letter from the contractor stating the following:
If a particular community has offered you a position, the Northern Land Council requires a letter from that community stating that you have the job and providing the name of the contact person you have dealt with in the community.
The Caring for Country branch provides essential administrative and operational support to land and sea ranger groups, facilitating the joint management of national parks and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs).
We currently support 14 Indigenous ranger groups and partner in the management of seven parks and reserves, including the iconic Kakadu National Park.
Through the Caring for Country branch, the Northern Land Council (NLC) empowers Aboriginal custodians to fulfil their cultural responsibilities to land and sea. This branch delivers a range of environmental and land management services that enable Traditional Owners to actively steward more than 210,000 square kilometres of culturally and ecologically significant lands and waters across the Top End.
Our Approach - Working Together
The NLC’s Caring for Country branch is committed to a collaborative approach that integrates Traditional Knowledge with modern scientific practices, underpinning a unique “two-way” management philosophy. This approach is at the core of our new, innovative Cultural and Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework, which serves as a tool for systematically assessing and enhancing our land and sea management initiatives. Guided by the values and aspirations of custodians of Aboriginal law and culture, this framework allows us to evaluate both ecological health and cultural resilience, ensuring our programs meet the long-term needs of Traditional Owners.
Our M&E framework recognizes that environmental success is inseparable from cultural health. By tracking cultural indicators—such as the transmission of Traditional Knowledge, maintenance of sacred sites, and community well-being—alongside ecological measures like biodiversity and habitat integrity, we ensure that our land and sea management efforts align with both environmental and cultural objectives. This framework enhances our capacity to respond to environmental challenges while safeguarding the cultural priorities of the communities we serve.
Who We Are
Since its establishment in 1995, the Caring for Country branch has been at the forefront of Indigenous-led land and sea management, striving to preserve landscapes for future generations. While the branch has grown significantly, expanding its services and workforce, its fundamental purpose remains the same: to support Traditional Owners in preserving cultural heritage and biodiversity through effective, community-driven programs.
Our work encompasses a wide range of activities, from fire management and invasive species control to cultural site protection and knowledge transfer. With a focus on blending Traditional Knowledge with scientific practices, we help Traditional Owners monitor and report on land and sea health, enhancing ecological resilience and cultural integrity.
Our Impact
Caring for Country is pivotal in promoting land and sea health across the Top End, including initiatives such as fire management, weed control, and biodiversity preservation. By securing funding from diverse sources, the branch has expanded its operational scope, positioning itself as one of the NLC's largest and most impactful units. Through partnerships with government and other stakeholders, we are enhancing the reach and effectiveness of our programs.
In response to immediate and evolving environmental challenges, we take proactive measures in areas such as pest and fire management, protection of culturally significant sites, and collaborative research initiatives. These efforts demonstrate a strong commitment to leveraging Traditional Knowledge and scientific methods to address environmental threats and promote sustainable land and sea stewardship.
Our Future Vision
Guided by our Strategic Plan 2024-2029, the Caring for Country branch envisions a future where Traditional Knowledge is continuously transferred to younger generations, ensuring that land, freshwater, and sea Country remains strong, healthy, and protected. As we expand our ranger programs and Indigenous Protected Areas, we are dedicated to supporting Traditional Owner leadership, building local capacity, and fostering sustainable economic opportunities through land and sea management initiatives.
With an emphasis on governance, safety, and operational excellence, the branch prioritizes efficient and transparent processes that empower our teams to achieve meaningful outcomes. Our efforts are geared towards supporting Traditional Owners in preserving their Country, with a commitment to adaptability and resilience in the face of emerging environmental and regulatory changes.
Women and Youth Engagement
Caring for Country is conscious of the need to integrate women into land management activities. Most ranger groups now have active participation from women rangers who include themselves in all aspects of the ranger work from spraying weeds to protecting sacred sites. Women have also been enthusiastic participants in the development of family culture groups for all age groups conducted in the school holidays.
The women and youth engagement coordinator provides support and advocacy for women rangers as well as implementation and support for junior ranger programs, which stem directly from Traditional Owners and current ranger group aspirations.
NLC’s Caring for Country rangers operate across almost 200,000 square kilometres of land owned by Aboriginal people in the NLC's area, which includes about 87 per cent of the Northern Territory’s coastline.
Ranger groups provide a formalised structure for the transfer of traditional knowledge from old to young, as well as being a vehicle for land and sea conservation and the training and employment of young Aboriginal people living in remote areas.
To support the ranger groups' activities, the Caring For Country Branch has developed partnerships with a number of external funding agencies including Territory and Federal Government departments, various research bodies and organisations. As more ranger groups join the ranger network, Aboriginal peoples' ability to care for country and manage pests will also increase. This growing capability is already recognised at a national level, with Aboriginal rangers now also playing important roles in border security and quarantine protection.
The Bulgul Land and Sea Management program manages 36,000 hectares of land and sea country across the Delissavale/Wagait/Larrakia Land Trust and undertakes extensive weeding, fire management and beach patrolling works. This ranger group also utilise both chemical and biological solutions for weed management works, which focus on Mimosa and Olive Hymenachne. Managing such a pristine environment has it perks with many migratory bird and marine species frequenting the land trusts and coastlines. The vulnerable Flatback turtle (Natator depressus) is very common along the coastline, laying eggs all year around; the Bulgul rangers consistently survey their numbers and hatchlings, ensuring that visitor and predator interactions are kept to a minimum.
Working closely with the Finnis-Reynolds Catchment Groups, the ranger group has been successfully monitoring and managing feral pigs, reducing erosion and spread of disease on the land trust and opening up opportunities for further collaborative research.
Invasive species control (weeds, feral animals), fire management (managed burns and wildfire response), beach and ghost net clearance, cultural support, environmental monitoring (soil, water, native species), sacred site protection, cost recovery works, compliance.
The Garngi ranger group undertake work across approximately 110 000ha's of land and sea country at Croker Island and nearby mainland areas of cultural connection. Garngi rangers often work closely with the Mardbalk and Adjumarllarl ranger groups to restore the integrity of biodiversity in the northern sector of the internationally-significant Murganella flood-plain. Like most ranger groups they have an extensive weed management program in place to eradicate invasive and destructive species on the island including Mimosa pigra, Leucaena leucocephala (coffee bush) and Cenchrus sp. (mission grass.). The rangers have seen a successful reduction in Mimosa through ongoing seedling removal occurring around Minjilang floodplain. Animal management is also a core activity on the island, with many invasive and problem species causing havoc to environment and community dealt with through the ranger program; from continual training the rangers now relocate problem crocodiles, providing a sustainable solution to crocodile management. The rangers also monitor barge and barge ramps for cane toads; there have been no cane toads reported on Croker Island.
Invasive species control, fire management, beach and ghost net clearance, cultural support, environmental monitoring, sacred site protection, cost recovery, compliance
Mardbalk rangers manage more than 440,000 hectares of land and sea country, including the Goulburn Islands and adjacent mainland areas of cultural significance. Invasive animals such as horses, pigs, and goats are managed on the islands, as well as buffalo and bantang on the mainland. A number of pig infestation sites have been targeted for management.
The ranger group also undertakes crocodile and fire management work alongside the Garngi and Adjumarllarl ranger groups. Extensive weed control and burning work was undertaken around the Northern reaches of the Murganella floodplain, with particular focus on Mimosa control. Beach and sea patrol work is conducted in conjunction with NT Fisheries. The ranger group also identifies and documents sacred sites for protection and management.
Invasive species control, fire management, beach and ghost net clearance, cultural support, environmental monitoring, sacred site protection, cost recovery, compliance.
Together, the Garawa and Waanyi Garawa ranger groups manage over 16,000km2 of Waanyi Garawa and Garawa country. The rangers continue to implement extensive fire management and weed management programs. Aerial and ground burning work has been carried out to optimise biodiversity and defend against wildfire. The rangers have participated in scientific carbon-measuring and analysis with a view to capacity-building and positioning ranger groups and other traditional owners in the carbon marketplace. The ranger group has also commenced cultural documentation work in relation to traditional knowledge in their work area.
Collaboratively working with Traditional Owners, the establishment of the Ganalanga Mindibirrina Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) has increased possibility of engaging more indigenous Rangers on Waanyi Garawa and Garawa country.
Invasive species control, fire management, cultural support, environmental monitoring, compliance.
The Kenbi Rangers, based on Cox Peninsula, formed in 2011 initially through support from the Northern Territory government. They are currently funded through the Indigenous Land Corporation’s Real Jobs Program and have a core team of four rangers. Their successful land management activities to this date have led to various contracts with both the private and government sectors that have allowed them to expand their ranger group and assets to include more casual employment and training.
The finalisation of the Kenbi land claim in 2016 after a 37 year long waiting period has unlocked opportunities for the traditional owners and the rangers, and they have developed a Healthy Country Plan to help guide the work of the rangers and to realise these opportunities.
The expansion of their contracts enabled the Kenbi rangers to purchase two in-survey vessels further increasing their land and sea management areas and allowing them to undertake marine surveys and access the nearby Indian Island.
More recently, the Kenbi Rangers engaged in a partnership with scientists from the University of Melbourne that aimed to establish a population of endangered Northern quolls trained to avoid easting cane toads, one of the identified threats to the quolls. The quolls were released in 2017 and the rangers will now have a continuing role in monitoring their health and population growth on Indian Island.
Fee for service environmental and land management activities, research collaborations on sea country, management of sacred sites, managing visitor access to land trust areas.
Yugul Mangi rangers are core to land and sea management activities throughout 6,700km2 of the Roper-Gulf region. Yugul Mangi Rangers came together in the late 1990’s working on feral pig, weed and dust suppression projects. Today the rangers undertake a broad range of land and sea management activities and in doing so work with many government and scientific agencies.
Yugul Mangi Rangers have a long history of environmental weed control. With support from the Northern Territory Weeds Management Branch they have developed surveillance and response plans for several Weeds of National Significance (WONS) including mimosa, parkinsonia, rubber vine and pond apple. They also have extensive experience in prescribed burning having participated since 2009 in regional greenhouse gas abatement projects. In partnership with the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) Yugul Mangi Rangers also assist in cultural heritage protection. They recently took part in the survey, documentation and subsequent management of sacred sites in the Roper and Wilton catchments and on near-coastal islands.
As Land and Sea rangers, Yugul Mangi are active on the waters of the Roper River and adjacent IPA coast, north to Wuyagiba. In this capacity they contribute to research into recreational and commercial fisheries, including a long-term telemetric study of fish population behaviour in the Roper River. In addition they provide oversight of recreational and commercial fishing in their area under contract to Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries NT.
Yugul Mangi Rangers have an enduring and productive partnership with researchers from the Macquarie University. This multi-faceted ethno-ecology program has over the past five years supported them to undertake flora and fauna surveys, monitor wetland health, complete fire- plot monitoring, produce a wealth of ethno-ecology material and regularly participate in scientific conferences and symposia.
The Yugul Mangi Rangers are also responsible for jointly managing the South East Arnhem Land IPA with the Numbulwar Numburindi Rangers.
Invasive species control, fire management, beach and ghost net clearance, cultural support, environmental monitoring, compliance.
The Malak Malak Land and Water Management Rangers are active in managing 30,000 hectares of land along the Daly River. Their land and sea management activities include managing the intense invasive infestations of weeds of national significance (gamba grass, mimosa and salvinia), fire management, environmental monitoring and scared site protection. The Ranger group breeds and distributes biological control species to help manage the infestations of Salvinia molesta and Mimosa pigra along the Daly River, which has demonstrated high levels of success. Working closely with NT Fisheries, the Malak Malak Rangers have also collaborated on numerous research and training opportunities as well as being identified as a key partner in ensuring permit and fisheries compliance along the Daly River.
Invasive species control, fire management, cultural support, environmental monitoring, sacred site protection, compliance.
Numbulwar Numburindi rangers manage 3,300km2 of land and sea country. The Rangers commenced operations over a decade ago and have since maintained a strong interest in marine activities. The rangers’ work typically involves coastal surveillance for foreign fishing vessels, irregular arrivals and illegal fishing operations. They also monitor, remove and incinerate ghost nets and other marine debris littering the western Gulf coastline between Blue Mud Bay and Wuyagiba homelands.
Numbulwar Numburindi Rangers’ involvement in land-based activities is expanding. In recent years they have participated in strategic control of weeds and feral animals. In partnership with Yugul Mangi Rangers they participate in the South East Arnhem Land Fire Abatement Project. SEALFA is a commercial carbon farming initiative aimed at mitigating wildfire and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from savanna fires in Arnhem Land.
Both Numbulwar Numburindi and Yugul Mangi Rangers contribute to the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment's North Australian biosecurity program. They are trained in feral pig autopsy for early detection of exotic diseases and parasites and surveillance of feral stock for signs of commercially significant diseases such as ‘foot and mouth’. They currently provide contract services including surveillance and reporting on exotic vertebrate pests, marine debris and plant health.
The Numbulwar Numburindi Rangers are also responsible for jointly managing the South East Arnhem Land IPA with the Yugul Mangi Rangers.
Invasive species control, fire management, beach and ghost net clearance, cultural support, environment management, compliance.
The Timber Creek Rangers are an ILC Real Jobs Program funded ranger group working out of a very small town in the very large Victoria River District. Based at the northern end of Judbarra-Gregory National Park and surrounded by beautiful plateaus, gullies and rivers, the Timber Creek Rangers engage with numerous land management contracts helping to protect their lands from the ravages of fire and ferals.
In 2016 the Timber Creek Rangers engaged with the Central Land Council on a Ranger exchange where the Rangers collaborated and learnt about varying fire, weed and feral management actions that could be implemented within the Victoria River District. Not only learning about caring for country, the Rangers also stepped out of their comfort zone and went on air, talking about their program and what they.
Future areas of interest for the group will include cultural fire management of the Judburra-Gregory NP in collaboration with Parks & Wildlife staff and the Central Land Council’s Dagaragu ranger group. The rangers are also interested in developing their capacity and operations on the Victoria River in support of traditional owners aspirations to protect and manage important threatened species which depend on the river and its surrounding riparian vegetation zones.
Invasive species control, fire management, cultural support, environmental monitoring, cost recovery, compliance.
Wagiman rangers undertake land management activities throughout the Wagiman Aboriginal Land Trust, which covers 130,000 hectares. Rangers have focused on treating extensive infestations of Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus), Mission Grass (Cenchrus sp.), Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia), and Mimosa pigra. Work has been undertaken with collaboration with partners, such as the NT Weeds Branch, Territory NRM and the NLC Wardaman Rangers.
They have also undertaken a major fencing project of sacred sites to protect them against damage from feral pigs, buffalo, horses and cattle. The Wagiman Rangers are very active in engaging in cultural and Traditional Owner activities, including the installation of the Tjuwaliyn arts project (Douglas Hot Springs).
Invasive species control, fire managment, cultural support, sacred site protection, environmental monitoring, compliance.
The Wudicupildiyerr rangers undertake land and sea management activities throughout the Marrathiel clan estates areas on the Port Keats Daly River Aboriginal Land Trust. The rangers work together with neighbouring ranger groups in the Western Top End to successfully plan and manage early dry season fire regimes throughout the land trust areas. The group is also part of a proposal to implement a carbon savanna fire project across the PKDRALT and derive some income from carbon offsets through their fire management. Rangers have also focused on treating extensive infestations of Mimosa pigra and to a lesser extent, Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus), Mission Grass (Cenchrus sp.), Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia).
Collaborations between the NT Weeds Branch, TNRM and the neighbouring Thamarrurr ranger group has led to numerous weed control programs, including aerial spraying of Mimosa, which will lead to greater access to country and better management of the cultural and natural resources of the wetlands and flood plain areas.
The rangers also help manage the adjoining coastal and marine habitats on behalf of traditional owner groups by conducting marine debris surveys and helping remove ghost nets which threaten local fish, sea turtle and dugong populations.
Invasive species control, fire management, beach and ghost net clearance, cultural support, sacred site protection, environmental monitoring, cost recovery, compliance.
NLC's Indigenous Ranger Compliance Support Project
Through support from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) the NLC’s Caring for Country branch has been provided some funding to help ensure NLC Ranger Groups are appropriately trained, resourced and supported to undertake targeted compliance activities on their traditional land and sea estates.
The project also aims to ensure that traditional owners and rangers lead the management of compliance activities on their country, that the rangers are kept safe and that the external agencies have the evidence they need to effectively deal with people who break the law.
What are the benefits for the NLC and rangers?
What are the benefits for our partner agencies?
What are the benefits for visitors?
Through developed compliance strategies and compliance education programs, signage etc, visitors will:
Contact the IRCS team on compliancesupport@nlc.org.au or 08 8943 9764
The Northern Land Council has statutory responsibilities to protect the interests of traditional owners within its region, in particular the conservation of land and sea.
Many of the Northern Territory’s most popular National Parks are owned by Aboriginal people and leased to either the Commonwealth or Northern Territory Government.
The NLC is focused on assisting traditional owners to:
The NLC currently assists Traditional Owners with the joint management of the following national parks:
Joint management presents Aboriginal peoples with a range of opportunities, from potential employment and enterprise development, to increased involvement in natural resource management.
Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) are voluntarily dedicated by Indigenous groups on Indigenous owned or managed land or sea country.
They are recognised by the Australian Government as an important part of the National Reserve System, protecting the nation’s biodiversity for the benefit of all Australians. The Caring for Country unit currently assists with the management of three IPAs: South East Arnhem Land (SEAL), Wardaman and Ganalanga-Mindibirrina.
South East Arnhem Land IPA
The South East Arnhem Land IPA Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) was declared in December 2016 and covers an area of 18,199 square kilometres. The South East Arnhem Land IPA spans most of south east Arnhem Land along the far western Gulf of Carpentaria from Blue Mud Bay to the mouth of the Roper River – where tidal flats meet vast coastal plains backed by rugged sandstone uplands. The vegetation is predominately open eucalypt woodlands with paperbark and monsoon rainforests along waterways or in moister pockets. In the north, tall eucalypt woodlands occur on the deepest soils, while a mosaic of native grasslands, vine thickets, samphire and mangroves characterise the coastal lowlands.
The South East Arnhem Land IPA consists of the traditional estates of over 20 clans who speak of themselves as Yugul. Yugul Mangi is a term for all our people, coming together and speaking as one. Their Country comprises a patchwork of homelands with twenty established outstations, each belonging to a particular family group, or clan. All homelands are associated with significant cultural sites and all are enormously important, as they reflect the pattern of our traditional land use and ownership. Homelands are places at which ceremonies occur, bush tucker is collected or hunted and where history, stories and traditional ways are passed on to our children.
The South East Arnhem Land IPA is managed by an Advisory Committee of senior elders from the Ngukurr and Numbulwar communities, who oversee the Northern Land Council managed Yugul Mangi and Numbulwar Numburindi Amalahgayag Inyung Indigenous Ranger groups.
South East Arnhem Land Indigenous Protected Area Plan of Management
South East Arnhem Land Visitor Guide (2023)
Ganalanga-Mindibirrina IPA
The Ganalanga-Mindibirrina Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) was declared in late 2015 and encompasses the entirety of the Waanyi-Garawa Aboriginal Land Trust (ALT), a highly remote area of more than 1 million hectares of the Northern Territory’s southern Gulf. The ALT is approximately 180km South-East of Borroloola, Northern Territory and approximately 90km West of Doomadgee, Queensland (unerspend_map). The Ganalanga-Mindibirrina IPA Plan of Management 2015-2020 (PoM), a product of more than 10 years’ worth of planning by Waanyi and Garawa Traditional Owners, is currently being enacted by the Northern Land Council hosted Waanyi-Garawa Rangers and an IPA co-ordinator. The PoM explains how the Traditional Owners wish to govern and manage their lands and provides a vision for the future of their country and culture. Traditional Owners’ feedback on the execution of the plan is incorporated into management activities at biannual IPA committee meetings. The IPA has supported various activities such as fire operations, womens engagement and fire training, the bush heritage culture camp\wildlife surveys.
Ganalanga-Mindibirrina Indigenous Protected Area Plan of Management 2015-2020.
Wardaman IPA
The Wardaman IPA was declared in 2014, rangers undertake land management activities throughout the area as well as working with connecting land trusts and pastoral leases, covering over 200,000 hectares. Rangers have focused on treating extensive infestations of Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus), Mission Grass (Cenchrus sp.), Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia), and Mimosa pigra. Work has been undertaken with collaboration with partners, such as the NT Weeds Branch, Territory NRM and the NLC Wagiman and Timber Creek Rangers.
The rangers have engaged with researchers to identify the near-threatened Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae) populations that may exist throughout Wardaman country and potential habitats for relocation. The surveys and scientific rigour needed to correctly undertake the survey was beneficial for the Wardaman rangers, a key experience that will enable them to continue to undertake scientific surveys in the future.
Wardaman Indigenous Protected Area Management Plan
The Learning on Country (LoC) Program is a joint initiative between Aboriginal ranger groups and local schools across 15 Top End remote communities, with a focus on integrating ‘both ways’ learning into school curriculums. It’s this combination of curriculum and culture that will support remote Aboriginal students to walk strong in two worlds.
The LoC Program enjoys strong community and institutional support because it brings together two knowledge systems that link culture and curriculum. The ‘two toolbox approach’, which incorporates both Western and Indigenous knowledge systems to deliver culturally appropriate education and training, supports remote students’ training and employment pathways.
The LoC Program is delivered to secondary students with a key focus on the senior secondary student cohort. The teaching and learning programs are developed collaboratively between school and ranger staff, with a focus on field-based activity and experiential learning. Activities include a wide range of ranger groups' projects and responsibilities around land and sea management and modelled by cultural knowledge-based activities as directed by Traditional Owners.
Objectives of the program are to increase school retention to Year 12 or equivalent, increase transition rates to further education, training and employment, and to increase inter-generational transmission of Indigenous knowledge and practices.
School and ranger staff draw on Traditional and Western knowledge systems to develop integrated field and classroom-based activities. In this way, LoC students have a culturally appropriate education and a clear pathway to employment. Field workshops and school-based learning activities are linked directly to NTCET, Australian Curriculum and VET Certificate outcomes.
The LoC Program is both an incubator and succession planning solution for various industry sectors involved in the sustainable use of land, sea and conservation management and in many ways the LoC Program has come to be regarded as developing the next generation of rangers and traditional custodians.
Land and sea management groups have indicated significant growth over the decade, creating business opportunities in cultural and natural resource management particularly for Indigenous populations.
The 15 participating schools across the Top End are:
The Learning on Country Program is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and administered by the Northern Land Council.
Visit the Learning on Country website by clicking the button below.
WHAT WE DO
The Northern Land Council wants to support your community projects!
The NLC has a free service for Aboriginal groups who want to work together to do good things for their communities. The NLC’s Community Projects team helps groups to plan, manage and monitor community projects. It can also help groups access grants and partnership opportunities.
To find out more about how NLC Community Projects can help, phone or email the Community Projects team:
Phone:
0407 493 834
Email: cpd@nlc.org.au
The NLC’s Community Projects team works with Aboriginal groups to plan projects that benefit their community and supports them to make these projects happen.
This is a free service for Aboriginal groups who want to work together to do good things for their communities.
You can see examples of projects undertaken by Aboriginal groups and the Community Projects team by visiting the 'Groups working with Community Projects' page.
To learn more about how Community Projects works, read the Community Planning & Development Framework 2022-26 document at the bottom of this webpage.
The Community Projects team will help you to plan projects following an 8-step journey or pathway. First they will help your group to think about what is important and what you want to change for the future. This will help you to set clear goals for your projects, such as:
By working with the Community Projects team your Aboriginal group will also develop practical skills like planning, budgeting, problem-solving, project management and monitoring and evaluation.
These skills will help your group make strong decisions now and in the future.
The Community Projects team can help your Aboriginal group apply for funding through grants, giving you more options to help your community.
You will also be able to apply for funding through the Matched Fund Program.
The Matched Fund Program provides dollar-for-dollar matched funding for projects that Traditional Owners develop using their income from land use agreements.
For groups that receive small amounts or no income for their land use agreements, the Matched Fund Program provides the opportunity to apply for a contribution of $50,000 towards a project that benefits their community (or more if the group have additional grant funding).
Visit our page on Matched Funding Program to find out more.
To understand more about the role and responsibilities of your group, the Community Projects team and how they work together to do community projects, read the Participation Agreement located at the bottom of this page. If your group decides to work with the Community Projects team, this agreement is made so everyone understands their role.
Any Aboriginal group in the Top End can apply to work with the Community Projects team.
If your group receives some land use agreement income and your group decides to allocate at least $100,000 per year to community projects, the Community Projects team will support you to plan and manage your community projects.
For groups that receive small amounts (under $200,000 per year), or no income for their land use agreements, your group can apply to work with the Community Projects team if you:
Additional criteria must be met in order to access the Matched Fund Program. These details can be found on the 'Matched Funding Program' page.
The first step to working with the Community Projects team is to complete an application form and email the completed form to cpd@nlc.org.au.
The application can be found at the bottom of this page.
You can speak with a Community Projects team member to get help with the application process - call 0407 493 834
Before applying, please make sure that your Aboriginal group meets the criteria detailed in the Can my Aboriginal group participate section above.
The Community Projects team will contact you within 21 days of receiving your application to tell you whether your group has been successful.
The Community Projects team will try to support all Aboriginal groups who submit an application form and meet the criteria for an eligible group.
If the demand for support from Community Projects outweighs the team’s current capacity, the Community Projects team will prioritise groups from regions that have low rates of participation in the CP Program.
From 2022 to 2025, the NLC will administer a Matched Fund Program to provide a financial contribution towards projects developed by Traditional Owners working with the NLC’s Community Projects team.
The Matched Fund Program provides the opportunity for Traditional Owners who do not receive income from land use agreements to participate in the Community Projects program. Additionally, the Program will consider applications from groups who receive a small amount of income from land use agreements, resulting in a co-funded arrangement.
For groups that receive no income or small amounts for their land use agreements, the Matched Fund Program provides the opportunity to apply for a contribution of $50,000 (or more if the group has additional grant funding) towards a project that benefits their community.
The Matched Funds Program will mean your group might be able to:
Your group can apply for Matched Funds if you meet the following criteria:
A member of the Community Projects team will help your group to prepare an application, including supporting documents.
The NLC will consider completed applications that meet all eligibility criteria.
To make sure distribution of benefits is fair and equitable, the NLC will assess and process Matched Funds applications upon receipt for groups:
Additionally, the NLC will consider applications from groups that earn more than $200,000 but less than $500,000 in land use agreement income per year, as long as the group is willing to put money towards their community project.
If the demand for Matched Funds outweighs the funds available, the NLC will consider and prioritise :
CP projects are being delivered in 18 locations across the NLC regions. Projects have a strong focus on maintaining culture and language, supporting youth and constructing community infrastructure.
Darwin/Daly Region
The Malak Malak people are Traditional Owners of the Malak Malak Aboriginal Land Trust in the Daly River region. In 2017 they allocated income from their land use agreements to work on community projects and assist young people to spend time on country, grow cultural knowledge, and carry on their traditions. Malak Malak have completed projects including culture camps, developing a language app and designing and installing interpretive signs in the Daly River Region. Malak Malak Traditional Owners are now planning the development of a culture centre ‘keeping place’, to house their historical and cultural items.
Diminin are the Traditional Owners of Wadeye township area. Since expressing interest in community projects in 2017, they have carried out a cultural site visit project and cemetery upgrades. Diminin recently approved further upgrade works at two Wadeye cemeteries, and successfully applied for a matched funding contribution. The project aims to create employment, better support ceremonies and create a prouder community.
Diminin Traditional Owners are also planning bush camps to increase access to country and investigating ways to support Kardu Diminin Corporation through grant agreements.
Rak Papangala Traditional Owners in the Palumpa area had a long-term vision of living back on their traditional land. They committed income from their gravel lease agreement towards this vision and carefully planned an outstation project – including a bush track, installation of a bore and tank, and a house. The group have also funded repair and general maintenance projects to support the outstation.
South-East Arnhem Land
The Budal Yutpundji - Milwarapara people are Traditional Owners of Ngukurr and Urapunga. They are very town proud and have focussed community development work on improving infrastructure and facilities in Ngukurr for all to benefit. They have funded a church toilet, a welcome sign at a local outstation, and fencing and seating at the Ngukurr oval.
Development of the Ngukurr airstrip waiting facility is currently under way to provide a warm welcome for people arriving in Ngukurr by air.
The SEAL IPA Advisory Committee have focused their community development work on cultural awareness issues, and training opportunities for locals. The committee has most recently completed a project which delivers cultural awareness booklets and signage in Ngukurr and Numbulwar communities. In 2023 the SEAL IPA Advisory Committee are undertaking dedicated planning to focus on their future vision and projects.
In April 2021 Mambali Walangara native title holders allocated a portion of their land use agreement income towards community projects. In 2022 the group identified key focus areas for their future and project work – knowledge, ceremony, visiting country, respect, strong culture, songlines and language. The group will next workshop some project ideas to realise these aspirations.
Guyal Muynmin decided to work with the Community Projects team in 2021 and have workshopped a strong vision for the future to guide their community projects. In 2022 the group progressed feasibility and project planning for culture camps to support young people to get back on country and preserve their language.
Guyal Ambulya and Mamabali Ngubayin (Watsons) native title holders decided in 2021 to work together with the Community Projects team to achieve their similar long-term aspirations. They have ambitions to live and work on country and have prioritised planning for culture camps and development of an outstation to support this goal.
Mambali Ngubayin (Johns) have allocated some of their income from an exploration agreement to community projects and have a clear focus on strong culture and employment. The group has supported the purchase and storage of music equipment for the local Urapunga church and are now investigating the feasibility of a mechanics training project and culture camps on their country.
Victoria River District
Djarrany-Djarrany
The Gajerrong – Djarrany-Djarrany group are native title holders of Legune Station, located in the north-western tip of the Northern Territory. Djarrany-Djarrany native title holders have engaged with the NLC’s Community Projects team since 2017, when they signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) for Project Sea Dragon. To support young people spending time on Country they have undertaken bush camps and upgraded their outstation. They have also created an education fund to increase school attendance. The group is currently planning a cultural tourism and arts business, as well as developing their corporation.
Wadanybang
Wadanybang native title holders receive benefits from the Indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) with Seafarms for Project Sea Dragon, located in the north-western tip of the Northern Territory. The group in 2022 started to connect with the Community Projects team to map out their aspirations and identify how NLC can support them.
Gubirrjim
Gurrbijim native title holders receive benefits from the Indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) with Seafarms for Project Sea Dragon, located in the north-western tip of the Northern Territory. Community Projects team is supporting the group to plan an advocacy project and seek funding for outstation upgrades to improve the liveability of their outstation, so they can meet their aspirations to live out on country more permanently.
Borroloola/Barkly
Budal Riley
The Budal Riley Native Title Holders reside in Borroloola, Numbulwar, Minyerri and Ngukurr. They began working with the NLC’s CP&D Program in November 2021. The group have a united vision to be on country - living, learning, sharing, working, together, caring for country. They have elected a representative working group and started doing some early planning for projects such as outstation upgrades to achieve their vision.
West Arnhem Land
Dhukurrdji
Dhukurrdji Traditional Owners are the custodians of Maningrida and surrounds. Since starting work with Community Projects team in October 2020, the group have defined a strong vision for the future – achieving ‘balance’ and ‘on-country’ – and have created an image to illustrate this and guide their project planning.
The group has approved their first project to support their goal - interpretive signage in Maningrida township. And they are investigating a cultural awareness project to continue their work in this area.
East Arnhem Land
Galiwin’ku
A representative working group of Galiwin’ku Traditional Owners have been allocating funds for community projects since 2017. The group have focused on projects to support young people, and law and justice programs. Projects have included funding a team of community legal education workers to support Yolngu in Galiwin’ku the week before each court session, funding additional positions in the youth sport and rec programs, and co-funding a school playground.
The group have recently funded logistics support and Traditional owner-led raypirri camps on country. In their words, Traditional Owners are determined to run the camps with the right people (elders and youth) on the right country, and see this type of project as a stepping stone towards ‘independence’ and ‘self-determination’ for Yolngu in the region.
Gapuwiyak
Marrkula members are the Traditional Owners of Gapuwiyak, and have set aside funds from township leases for community projects since 2017. The group has focused their project work on establishing and developing their local corporation. Their goal is to lay a strong governance foundation and develop a clear strategic plan to then undertake business and provide jobs and training for their young people and community. The group has also funded a ‘Painting Crew’ project which successfully employed 8 people and painted 35 houses, and they have started to explore the viability of a mechanics business. They are now also focusing on the feasibility of a cultural tourism venture in Gapuwiyak.
Katherine
Mangarrayi
The Mangarrayi people are the traditional custodians of lands and waters in the Roper River area. In early 2022, Mangarrayi Traditional Owners formed a representative advisory group to guide and plan their community projects. They are currently putting their attention towards the development of the local Mangarrayi Rangers and investigating infrastructure to support the ranger group. Mangarrayi traditional owners are also soon to undertake a Healthy Country Plan which will further assist them to identify priorities for their country, community and culture, and provide guidance for further community projects.
Monitoring is like doing a check-up of your car – you need to make sure the tyres and engine are good so you can keep driving. Monitoring helps the NLC keep on track and heading towards goals set by Traditional Owners.
Over three years (2019 - 2022) NLC project partners worked together to create the new framework. The new framework ensures greater accountability and imbeds participatory monitoring. Monitoring provides feedback to Aboriginal groups so they can make stronger decisions.
Further information is available in our monitoring publications:
Checking up to keep on track: an Aboriginal-led approach to monitoring well-being Journal article DOI: 10.1177/1035719X211026412
For enquiries email cpd@nlc.org.au
The pastoral industry is iconic in the Northern Territory. Up until the early 1970s, the Northern Territory cattle industry depended on cheap Aboriginal labour for its success.
It was Aboriginal people who built the fences, dug the bores and tended, mustered and drove the cattle. It was common to find them 'paid' with meager rations of flour, tea, sugar and tobacco. Aboriginal people also had extensive knowledge of the land which was vital to the operation of grazing enterprises.
In 1968 Aboriginal stock workers won the right to award wages and conditions equal to white workers. It was a hollow victory. With the mechanisation of the industry, including sub-divisional fencing, modern trapping yards, road transport replacing droving and the advent of helicopter mustering, pastoralists had already begun to do away with Aboriginal labour. The Aboriginal camps which had been pools of cheap labour were no longer needed and many people were forced off the stations.
Under the Land Rights Act, Aboriginal people cannot claim pastoral land that is leased to someone else. However, they can claim the land if they themselves own the lease. A number of Aboriginal organisations run pastoral leases in the Northern Territory and have claimed ownership of the land under the Land Rights Act.
The Indigenous Pastoral Program was developed by the Northern and Central Land Councils in 2003 to increase Aboriginal-managed pastoral production and improve rangelands management on Aboriginal land. The strategy involves joint action by partner agencies including the Indigenous Land Corporation, the NT Government, the NT Cattleman’s Association and the NT Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Since its inception programme staff, within the NLC region, have successfully negotiated 13 Pastoral Land Use Agreements worth over $10 million to traditional owners in infrastructure development and lease payments. This investment has created over 40 jobs and put up to 40,000 head of cattle back on Aboriginal pastoral land.
The wider result of this is greater access and engagement by traditional owners with their land.
More than 80 percent of the value of minerals extracted in the Northern Territory comes from mining on Aboriginal-owned land, amounting to more than $1 billion a year. Approximately 30 percent of Aboriginal land is under exploration or currently under negotiation for exploration.
Different processes apply for those wishing to mine and explore on land covered by the Land Rights Act (Aboriginal-owned land) and on land covered by the Native Title Act (land where Aboriginal people have native title interests). In all instances, where enterprises have entered into good faith negotiations and respected Aboriginal rights, agreements are being reached with benefit to all parties.
Facilitating exploration
While the Land Rights Act is primarily social justice legislation for the granting of traditional Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory for the benefit of Aboriginal people, it is clear that the Land Rights Act facilitates exploration and mining.
Established process
The Land Rights Act provides an established process which offers certainty for developers and landowners. The Land Council can ensure that the rightful owners are party to the consultations and negotiations; that any agreement is based on presentation of all relevant information in an objective manner; and that any agreement made will be honoured.
Under the Land Rights Act, Aboriginal landowners have the right to say 'yes' or 'no' to mining and minerals exploration on their land. Justice Woodward said in the findings of his Royal Commission into Aboriginal Land Rights: “I believe that to deny Aborigines the right to prevent mining on their land is to deny the reality of their land rights.”
Relevant legislation
The laws governing the granting of exploration licences and petroleum permits on Aboriginal land in the NT are the Northern Territory Mining Act 1980 and the Land Rights Act. An exploration licence or permit which allows the holder to explore for minerals or hydrocarbons cannot be issued by the NT Minister for Mines and Energy unless the applicant and the Land Council have entered into an agreement. Part IV of the Land Rights Act gives a clear procedure for a prospective company to obtain exploration and mining rights on Aboriginal land.
Royalties
An equivalent amount of royalties paid to the Northern Territory and Federal Governments for mining on Aboriginal land is paid to the Aboriginals Benefits Account. The ABA then distributes 30 percent of the royalties to Aboriginal people affected by the mining on their land, 40 percent of the royalties to Northern Territory Land Councils to administer their statutory responsibilities and a further 30 percent for the administration of the ABA and for distribution to Aboriginal people throughout the Northern Territory.
Exploration Licence Agreement - Process Summary
Once the Agreement has been executed by all parties, the NLC then notifies the Northern Territory Minister for Mines and Energy who subsequently issues the exploration licence for a period of six years, with an ability to extend for a further four years.
Mining and exploration under the Native Title Act
The Native Title Act is relevant for mining on Crown land and pastoral leases. Under the amended 1993 Native Title Act, provisions have been put in place which give registered applicants for determination of native title the "right to be consulted" over some types of mining and mineral exploration. The right to be consulted includes the right:
Those applicants intending to make an objection to an application for a mining or exploration lease have three months in which to formally lodge their objection with the Native Title Tribunal.
NLC’s Financial Assistance for Funerals and Ceremony is made possible through approved funds from the Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA). This funding is provided to the NLC under section 64 of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (Northern Territory) 1976 (ALRA) through the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA). The continuation of this policy is subject to ongoing funeral and ceremony funding being made available to the NLC from the ABA.
Funerals
The financial assistance for funerals is to assist Aboriginal families in the NLC Region that have recently lost a family member by providing a contribution towards the overall costs of holding a funeral. The assistance is to alleviate some of the financial hardship experienced in burying a loved one. The overall funding is a limited amount and helps about 200 Aboriginal families per year.
Eligibility criteria
Funding assistance and eligible items
This funding assistance is limited to $3,000 (GST inclusive) per deceased person and can only be used to contribute to the cost of a coffin, funeral parlour professional fees or transporting the body of the deceased.
Application process
Applications are to be completed by the next of kin or family representative and submitted to the NLC prior to the funeral taking place. It is the applicant’s responsibility to complete the application form, provide proof of death and relevant itemised quotations for a coffin, funeral parlour professional fees or transporting the body.
Approved applications
NLC will not commit any financial expenditure until the application and approval process is complete. If the Funeral application is approved;
Ceremony
NLC acknowledges that Traditional Aboriginal Owners are culturally diverse and have different cultural responsibilities, obligations and traditional ceremony practices. The NLC continues to promote kinship relationships, responsibilities and cultural integrity of traditional practices and encourages the maintenance, practice and revitalisation of ceremonies for youth, men’s and women’s business.
Ceremony assistance helps Aboriginal ceremony leaders or a group representative by providing a contribution towards the overall cost of holding a ceremony. The grant funding is a limited amount and helps support ceremonial activity in the NLC region.
Eligibility criteria
Funding assistance and eligible items
This funding assistance is limited to a total of $1,000 (GST inclusive) per ceremony and can only be used to contribute to the following:
Items NOT eligible include:
Application process
Applications are to be completed by the Aboriginal ceremony leader or a group representative and submitted to the NLC prior to the ceremony taking place. It is the applicant’s responsibility to complete the application form and provide relevant quotes / or nominate the preferred supplier of goods in the community for the requested eligible items.
NLC will do the following
How to apply
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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