NORTHERN AUSTRALIA Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy 2019 – 2022 ILSC: by the Numbers 2020 LAND MANAGEMENT

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$ By the ILSC in the 1.2 Indigenous Estate BILLION 774 INVESTED since 1996 PROJECTS FUNDED 6.1 260 MILLION HECTARES ACQUIRED Message from the ILSC Chairperson PROPERTIES $660 Returned to the MILLION Welcome to the Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (RILSS) for the Northern Indigenous Estate invested Australia region. For the This RILSS represents an additional, more focused layer to the Indigenous Land and Sea Indigenous Estate Corporation (ILSC) Group’s strategic direction as laid out in the National Indigenous SINCE Land and Sea Strategy (NILSS) for the period 2019 to 2022. These are the first national and regional land and sea strategies that include water-based activities, following from PROPERTIES DIVESTED 2012 legislative changes to the ILSC and its role. This RILSS reaffirms the ILSC’s commitment to being the trusted partner in developing OVER this Indigenous Estate and introduces our impact driven vision of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoying opportunities and benefits that the return of country and 76% 7206 * its management brings. We will deliver against this in the Northern Australia region by: OF PROPERTIES TOTAL JOBS > Acquiring, granting and divesting land and water interests to Indigenous corporations; ACQUIRED 714 > Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to strengthen culture INDIGENOUS through reconnection with country; For JOBS > Building the capacity and capability of Indigenous corporations to sustainably Indigenous manage and protect country; and people > Partnering with Indigenous corporations to drive and influence opportunities on Land divested to 3.8+ country. Indigenous Corporations MILLION HECTARES Created every year This RILSS has been developed with your input. On behalf of the ILSC Board, I thank all through ILSC projects of you who made the time to participate in consultation sessions – your insights have informed the detail of this strategy. We will continue the conversation around the ILSC’s role nationally and in the Northern region by refreshing both the NILSS and RILSS in 2020. Please take the time to read through this regional strategy and the national strategy * Indigenous Business it accompanies. Also check the ILSC website and follow us on social media. Most that benefit from * importantly, contact your local ILSC office with any ideas you have for projects that fit 55.5 with this strategy and would benefit from ILSC partnership. INCREASED ILSC assistance 50% INCOME PARTNER PROJECTS We look forward to working with you. Eddie Fry, ILSC Chair * Percentage of 43 collaborative EXPANDED ILSC projects

*Average, per year since 2012

2 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 3 We buy and divest land and water-related rights to Indigenous people We support Indigenous people to preserve and OUR protect culture through connection to country We build the capacity and capability of Indigenous people to sustainably manage and protect country INTRODUCTION ROLE We partner with Indigenous people to drive and The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation influence opportunities for their country (ILSC) is an independent statutory authority established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 (the ATSI Act) to assist Indigenous people to acquire and manage interests in land and waters to achieve economic, environmental, social or cultural benefits. The ILSC has two purposes, as set out in the ATSI Act:

> to assist Indigenous Australians to providing funding associated acquire land and water-related rights We invest in projects: with buying, divesting, managing and/or developing > to assist in the management of land/water interests and/or foundation projects (such Indigenous-held land and waters, however it was acquired. OUR as infrastructure, plant and equipment, feasibility assessment planning activities)

This gives the ILSC an important role in We provide advice and capability support: working with Indigenous people to define, OPERATIONS Supporting Indigenous land holders with access to enhance, and grow the Indigenous Estate. information, training, knowledge and systems to The Indigenous Estate is a central concept in support sustainable management of country the strategy of the ILSC that encompasses and delivery of benefits both tangible and intangible assets and attributes relating to Aboriginal and Torres We connect Indigenous landowners: build and broker Strait Islander people. It includes interests relationships with markets, opportunities, partnerships in land, waters and economic development, through facilitation, advocacy and negotiation and also complex human capital elements, including people, society, knowledge and intellectual property flowing from Indigenous Australians’ unique culture.

OUR Indigenous people enjoy opportunities and benefits IMPACT that the return of country, and its management brings

4 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 5 aBout the RILSS The following regions will continue to underpin the RILSS: Also required by the ATSI Act are Regional > Northern Australia—Includes northern Indigenous Land and Sea Strategies (RILSS), Western Australia, the northern areas which provide regions within Australia with of the Northern Territory and North an additional, layered framework for the Queensland. The climate, environment interpretation and implementation of the and general economic development NILSS. opportunities in northern Australia In this iteration of the NILSS and RILSS, the differ significantly from the rest of RILSS will contain more detailed information Australia. For example, savanna burning on what the ILSC’s strategic direction means for emissions reduction is viable in this for Indigenous corporations. They describe broad region and not in others. how the ILSC wants to deliver its mandate to > Desert—Includes the desert regions achieve economic, environmental, social and of Western Australia, northern South cultural benefits for Indigenous Australians Australia, south-west Queensland and over the coming years. north-west New South Wales. As with the Northern Australia region, Australia’s desert regions are unique. There is value rILSS Regions in considering the opportunities arising in these areas in their own right. In developing the previous NILS, the > South-West Australia—Includes southern ILSC changed its approach to ‘regions’. Australia, west from the South Australian Previously the regions were the six states border through to Perth and Geraldton (with NSW incorporating the ACT) and in Western Australia. This region has the Northern Territory. The new regions, diverse opportunities in agriculture, continued in these NILSS and RILSS, reflect resource extraction and urban-based important environmental, demographic and industries. economic differences across the continent > South-East Australia—Includes southern and the ways these are reflected in the Legislative reform aBout the National Australia, east of Ceduna in South different situations of, and opportunities for Australia and including all of Victoria Indigenous Land and Indigenous people. After receiving independent expert advice and Tasmania, most of New South Wales on options to improve the sustainability and Sea Strategy and The ILSC recognises the opportunities and south-east Queensland including growth of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Regional Indigenous presented through bringing together Brisbane. The mostly temperate regions Islander Land Account (Land Account), Land and Sea Strategies discrete, but aligned, land parcels and water of south-eastern Australia are more significant consultations were undertaken interests within the Indigenous Estate to heavily populated and urbanised than across Australia on two key reforms to the The National Indigenous Land and Sea allow the development of joined-up projects, the other regions, with more intensive ILSC’s legislation, the ATSI Act: Strategy (NILSS) is a requirement under and economies of scale. and diverse agricultural operations and greater employment and training > To help secure the sustainability of the ATSI Act and is the ILSC’s key policy The ILSC also recognises that the new the Land Account by handing its document. The recently developed NILSS is opportunities in professional and service regions do not necessarily align with cultural industries. management to the Future Fund and the ILSC’s first national strategy to include and/or language groups, an issue which was broadening its investment mandate; and fresh and salt water-based activities. raised during recent consultation on these > Extending the remit of the ILSC to This NILSS presents the ILSC’s priority strategies. These new boundaries are ‘soft The strategy for each of these regions include water. focus areas, program delivery mechanisms borders’ and as such are not intended to highlight the alignment between and renewed commitment to building Responses to the proposed reforms were preclude any group or project from being opportunities arising in these regions and enduring stakeholder relationships as a considered on the basis of their position in the ILSC’s focus areas. These strategies are overwhelmingly supportive, and a package framework for achieving the ILSC’s vision of relation to a regional ‘border’. The regions based on recent stakeholder consultation of three Bills relating to the functions Indigenous people enjoying opportunities are a guide to the kind of projects that may and funding of the ILSC were enacted in and benefits that the return of country and and, like the NILSS, will be revisited in 2020. November 2018, and came into effect 1 its management brings. be more desirable and successful in any February 2019. given region – inclusive of land and waters. These changes are the driver for the development of this document.

6 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 7 Indigenous population > In the Northern Territory large areas of land have been granted under inalienable The Northern RILSS region has an Indigenous freehold title to Aboriginal Land Trusts population of approximately 122,000 – the under the Aboriginal Land Rights second highest of the RILSS regions. Most of (Northern Territory) Act 1976; most of the Indigenous population within this region the pastoral districts of the Territory are live in regional, remote and very remote areas, subject to native title claims. Recent with Darwin only home to just over 11,500 of Native Title Determinations have resulted the 40,000 Indigenous people in the northern in waters also coming under Native Title. NT. Far North Queensland has an Indigenous > In northern Queensland Indigenous population of around 38,000, with 40,000 people have some interests in land Indigenous people in North Queensland. The in the Torres Strait and on Cape York north western area of Western Australia, but Indigenous holdings elsewhere are which incorporates the Kimberley region with limited—the Queensland area of this an Indigenous population of approximately region has more conventional freehold 14,000. title than other jurisdictions. The Northern Territory continues to have Common law judgements under the the highest proportion of Aboriginal and Native Title Act have recognised extensive Torres Strait Islander people living in Indigenous interests in sea country. These rural areas at approximately 49 percent. include the Blue Mud Bay High Court However the Aboriginal and Torres Strait decision (July 2008) in favour of Traditional Islander population is becoming increasingly Owners in the Northern and the Akiba urbanised. Since the 1996 Census, the finding in favour of Traditional Owners in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Torres Strait Regional Seas Claim Group v Islander people living in urban areas across Commonwealth (August 2013). Australia has increased from 73 percent to 79 percent. This was largely driven by the In all parts of this region there are extensive proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait native title claims, both determined and Islander population in capital cities, which registered. has increased from 30 percent in 1996 to 35 For more information, the Australian percent in 2016. Government has mapped land tenure in northern Australia at https://www.austrade.gov.au/land-tenure, Indigenous-held land noting that the Australian Government and waters defines northern Australia differently to the ILSC. Northern Australia has proportionately more Indigenous land than southern Australia. This land is held under a diverse range of tenure arrangements: freehold land, Crown land subject to pastoral lease (under different State/Territory legislation), National Reserve land where activity is restricted, and Indigenous land, also subject to various legislative regimes. > Indigenous land interests in the Kimberley, WA, largely arise from significant native NORTHERN AUSTRALIA Region title determinations. Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy 2019 – 2022

8 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 9 Landscape and important rainforest areas as well as the Mitchell, Gilbert, Norman and Staaten The Northern Australia region covers an area River catchments on Cape York, all of which of approximately 1.9 million square kilometres. flow into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Most of It stretches across three states and territories, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area from the Kimberley region, WA, across to the lies within this region. Other significant Top End of the Northern Territory, then across vegetation communities are coastal the Gulf of Carpentaria to Queensland, from mangrove forests, swamp forests, floodplain Rockhampton on the Tropic of Capricorn grasslands and heathlands. Extensive areas and north to the Torres Strait. It is home to a of Cape York (Qld), Arnhem Land (NT), and diverse range of landscapes with most of it the Kimberley (WA) are part of Australia’s less than 500 metres above sea level. National Reserve System. The region’s biodiversity assets include Vegetation within this region mainly the tropical rainforests, wetlands and arid consists of savanna woodland. The savannas rangelands of the Northern Territory (NT); the range from open forest in the coastal and steep mountain ranges of the Ord and Fitzroy sub-coastal regions to woodlands in the River catchments of the Kimberley; and in semi-arid regions to open woodlands with the east, relatively intact savanna woodland scattered low trees in the more arid interior.

Most ecosystems in northern Australia are rain falls during this period and generally grassy landscapes. Notable exceptions are arrives in heavy bursts from thunderstorms, the rainforests (the Wet Tropics in north widespread monsoon depressions or from Case study: The Keeping Place, Western Australia Queensland and the monsoon forests and the passage of associated tropical cyclones. Easier access to a wealth of cultural heritage information and improved relationships between vine thickets of Queensland, Top End and The dry season, from May through to Traditional Owners and resource companies are not the only benefits from The Keeping Place Kimberley), some of the wetland ecosystems October exhibits dry, cool weather with project. The ILSC’s support of this innovative project has helped Indigenous people to protect their closer to the coast, and the mostly rugged little rain, low humidity and wider-ranging culture and manage their land. and rocky landscapes of the Kimberley and temperatures. Stretching across the South-West and parts of the Desert and Northern regions, The Keeping western Arnhem Land where the vegetation Across the savannas the more stable Place Project in WA has created an online geospatial cultural heritage management system is sparse scrub or heath. providing improved avenues for Indigenous groups to store and access their cultural information. dry season is characterised by prevailing The project is a co-funded partnership involving the ILSC; native title groups Karlka Nyiyaparli Spanning thousands of kilometres, the dry south-east winds (moister on the Aboriginal Corporation (KNAC) and Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation; and resources companies ‘saltwater country’ of northern Australia east coast), cooler temperatures, greater BHP Billiton, Fortescue Metals Group and Rio Tinto. It also has the support of the National Trust of includes some of the most intact coastal and temperature variation during the day, clear Western Australia. marine habitats and floodplains in the world. skies and low humidity. Light rains may Indigenous groups now have an innovative technology solution for managing native title and related This country is a stronghold for threatened fall, particularly in the south-east portions, land management and development issues that also gives them meaningful access to cultural turtles and dugongs and home to some of during the early winter months but can information drawn from more than 40 years of resources companies conducting heritage surveys the world’s most extensive mangrove forests, occur in any month. Occasionally cold air on Nyiyaparli country. The Keeping Place Project puts the stories of the Nyiyaparli Traditional coral reefs and seagrass meadows. It consists from the south penetrates well into the Owners told during these surveys into the hands of the people to whom they are most meaningful. of one of the least human-impacted marine tropics and night-time temperatures may KNAC had a developmental and guiding role in the technology solution and Nyiyaparli Traditional ecosystems in the world, combined with, drop enough for frosts to form in some Owners developed the cultural protocols to be applied in the system. across its more northerly reaches, a mostly inland regions in the east and west. As intact traditional Indigenous knowledge base the dry progresses through August and The project has helped in improving relationships between Traditional Owners and resource for land and sea management. September the temperatures begin to rise as companies and workshops have been held to determine how the technology solution could be adapted and used for the benefit of other Traditional Owner groups. the sun moves more directly overhead and the south-easterly winds begin to subside. KNAC now has access to repositories of cultural and heritage information and a management system that supports them to protect significant cultural heritage sites. The innovative geospatial Climate The coastal areas of this region tend to have tool can be used to collect, store and appropriately share cultural knowledge, perform desktop more predictable monsoon climate with a assessments of heritage surveys, plan land management projects and maintain compliance with The Northern Australia region lies in a shorter, intense wet season. However, as you land use agreements. tropical climatic zone, where temperatures move further inland away from the coast the are warm throughout the year and there are A new Indigenous-owned company has been formed with KNAC as the founding member and is climate becomes generally less predictable two distinct seasons: the ‘wet’ and the ‘dry’. now making the technology available nationally. The ownership model enables other Indigenous and drier. The impacts of climate change are groups to join as owner-members of the company. The wet season lasts from around November predicted to exacerbate these conditions. through to April. Almost all of the year’s

10 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 11 Presently there is a suite of weeds, ranging Case study: Case study: Kakadu Plum/ from grasses to shrubs to larger woody plants, invading large tracts of private land Gubinge, NT and WA of marginal productivity, and public lands Kakadu Plum, or Gubinge in Western Australia, including national parks. This constrains the is a native fruit that grows almost exclusively on financial and labour resources available for Indigenous-held land across northern Australia, weed management. In this region there is from the Kimberley to Arnhem Land. An ILSC therefore a strong emphasis on preventing funding commitment of $448,000 in 2018–19 to the spread of established weeds. Invasive establish Indigenous-lead Kakadu Plum supply animals include cats, cane toads, buffalo chain has hit its targets. The Northern Australia and wild pigs; collectively these pests Aboriginal Kakadu Plum Alliance (NAAKPA), a damage both natural environments and consortium of nine Aboriginal corporations, is grazing land. moving towards sustainability. The project supports Indigenous community Climate change is a significant issue across harvesting and processing enterprises, and this region, with these effects already facilitates access to Kakadu Plum and its extracts evident or likely to occur: by large-scale markets. The aim is to provide > increased average temperatures greater Indigenous influence and control in the market and maximise the flow of benefits back > rising sea-levels, stronger tropical to Indigenous communities. To date, work by the cyclones and increased intensity of ILSC in partnership with NAAKPA has increased oceanic storm surges demand for Kakadu Plum in the Australian marketplace and increased supply of Kakadu > saltwater intrusion into northern Plum coming from Aboriginal enterprises. Australia’s vast freshwater floodplains This year, NAAKPA members collectively > bleaching and death of coral reefs, harvested over 20 tonnes of Kakadu Plum with damage to mangrove forests and a farm gate value of more than $650,000. Over seagrass 400 people, mainly women, were involved in the harvest which generated significant economic, > more favourable conditions for cultural and social benefits on-country. mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease The project has increased the operational such as Dengue Fever and Ross River capacity and capabilities of each of the Aboriginal virus enterprises by providing food safety audits; chemical and microbial testing of fruit; the Water resources The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is a > disruption of the finely balanced feature of the Queensland coastline within relationships between flora and fauna in development of marketing material; and the creation of marketing opportunities, including the Northern region – this park is itself the region’s ecosystems The Northern Australia region is home representation at the Asia Pacific Food Safety broken up into various zones, where different to a large number of river and salt and > more extreme fire and flood events Conference. freshwater floodplain systems, groundwater types of activity are permitted. Across the that may assist the spread of invasive Contract templates for Access and Benefit resources and fisheries. The availability of Northern Territory, NT Water Plan Areas are species. also subject to Strategic Aboriginal Water Sharing Agreements to protect traditional water is a major driver of economic activity, knowledge have been created and buyers are now Reserves, wherein a percentage of water In addition to the environmental threats particularly for key northern industries such able to go to one contact point, on the NAAKPA described above, other challenges directly as agriculture, aquaculture, mining, energy from the consumptive pool in each area is website. and tourism. While this region receives more set aside for exclusive Aboriginal use. affect Indigenous people’s ability to gain benefit from their land holdings in this On the ground, funding has been used to buy than 60 per cent of national rainfall, falls are equipment including stainless steel benches, highly seasonal and capturing and using region. Property-rights infrastructure (cadastral surveys, town planning) and freezers, packing machines and all-terrain it is challenging. As well as containing a Issues vehicles, and to support travel to facilitate physical infrastructure (access roads, significant number of surface water systems, training, networking and knowledge sharing telecommunications, essential services) the region is also home to significant Among the land management issues in this among the Aboriginal member enterprises. groundwater resources, including a portion of region are: fire management (including loss are necessary to achieving economic development on Indigenous land. The alliance has grown to become Australia’s the Great Artesian Basin. of traditional Indigenous burning practices), largest Indigenous-controlled native-food supply invasive animal and plant species, and the Investment at all levels of government Across the north, the marine environment is needed to address these widespread network with Kakadu Plum and many other impact of grazing, including land clearing. plant food species being distributed to national comprises various declared fisheries and infrastructure deficits, in particular across state and Commonwealth marine reserves. markets. Based on the success of the project remote and very remote Indigenous to date, the ILSC is now working with NAAKPA Australia. to develop a strategy for the long-term growth and sustainability of the Kakadu Plum and wider bushfoods sector in northern Australia.

12 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 13 Opportunities An Indigenous Reference Group (IRG), that add value to basic agricultural products. Tourism comprising senior Indigenous leaders from Land in the Northern Australia region is The Northern Region has many spectacular across Northern Australia, was established in already used for cropping and horticulture. The Northern Australia region is generally land and seascapes with rich Indigenous December 2017 to ensure that development The White Paper envisages an expansion of less developed than the South-West and cultural connections; this combination holds flowing from the White Paper benefits these sectors, and more extensive harnessing South-East regions, but there are many strong appeal for local and international Indigenous people and businesses. The of water resources for irrigation. existing and emerging opportunities. tourists and therefore offers a potential basis Northern Australia IRG helps to ensure that for tourism businesses—either larger scale The Australian Government’s Our North, the Northern Australia agenda benefits resorts or smaller, locally-based ecotourism Our Future – White Paper on Developing Indigenous Australians and helps and Niche Indigenous products or cultural tourism ventures. Along with Northern Australia (June 2015) identifies a supports the Ministerial Forum on Northern Across Australia Indigenous people are agribusiness, tourism is a recognised high- range of reforms and investments needed Development. to stimulate development to take advantage the custodians of traditional cultural and growth area in the Australian economy. of the region’s proximity to Asia. The White environmental knowledge, and particularly so Paper identified barriers to economic Agribusiness in this region where Indigenous knowledge systems are strong. Opportunities exist for development including complex land- In this region Indigenous Australians hold Conservation and Healthy Country Indigenous land holders to develop enterprises tenure arrangements, skills gaps and critical large areas of pastoral and potential pastoral/ Australia needs to transform its energy based on growing or wild-harvesting native infrastructure and transport deficits arising agricultural land, and have a rich historical sources and sequester carbon to meet plants for food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic from a low and dispersed population. The connection to the cattle industry in particular. internationally agreed emissions-reduction uses, or the harvesting of protein from native Government, through the Office of Northern The ILSC is looking to assist Indigenous targets (the UN Paris Agreement) to mitigate (e.g. kangaroo, emu, crocodile) or feral Australia, is funding projects to build a more land holders to increase their influence and the potential impacts of climate change. animals (e.g. buffalo). The ILSC can assist diversified economy and ‘unlock the north’s commercial strength across all sectors of Investing in renewable energy technologies Indigenous people with initial research on full potential’, to create an environment where northern agribusiness. This may involve can assist Indigenous communities in this potential products, capability building, advice the private sector can thrive across industries diversification away from the traditional region, particularly those who are off the on the establishment of secure supply chains, such as agriculture, tourism and resources. emphasis on the beef industry, or exploiting electricity grid, by reducing costs and governance, communications and marketing. opportunities in agribusiness supply chains improving reliability of supply.

14 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 15 Also, if suitable, Indigenous-held land may be Given the extent of emerging impacts from Water-Based Activities Both the Commonwealth and state used to generate solar, wind or geothermal climate change, the ILSC offers a critical governments are looking to benefit from Despite the challenges involved in capturing energy for sale to energy retailers. opportunity for proactive investment across these trends. The Australian Government’s and storing fresh water (including high the Northern coastal regions to assist National Aquaculture Strategy (September Since 2012 the ILSC has worked with levels of evaporation), studies by the CSIRO communities build resilience for adaptation 2017) aims to double the value of Australia’s community, government and philanthropic have identified significant opportunities for to the forecasted impacts of climate change. aquaculture industry over ten years, and groups to increase Indigenous involvement increasing the area of land under irrigation. recognises that Indigenous rights and in ‘carbon farming’, government-approved Northern Australia is as much a conservation This has prompted the Commonwealth interests must be considered in developing land management methodologies that reduce challenge as a development opportunity. Government to undertake to work with other projects. In the west, the region is home to greenhouse-gas emissions or store carbon in Indigenous people live on country that may jurisdictions to undertake further assessments the Kimberley Aquaculture Development vegetation or soils. otherwise be unoccupied and many are of priority catchments in the region. While Zone, set up by the WA Government involved in ‘caring for country’, where groups most surface and groundwater systems across Savanna fire management (SFM—early dry with the aim of making it faster, cheaper receive income from government and others the region are tightly regulated, specific season controlled burning to help prevent and more efficient to set up aquaculture for ecosystem services. Ranger-type work commercial and customary water rights exist uncontrolled late-season wildfires) is a carbon businesses in the area. Indigenous presents opportunities for expansion, with for Indigenous communities in the NT and farming methodology that applies only in organisations are at various stages of setting the increasing need to preserve biodiversity on Cape York in Queensland which provide this region and is increasingly practised on up businesses both inside this zone and and rehabilitate environments. opportunities for both cultural and economic Indigenous-held land. These projects are elsewhere. purposes. eligible to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units In this region Indigenous rangers are widely In the Torres Strait, resources from the (ACCUs) under the Australian Government’s employed in biosecurity surveillance and The ‘Scaling Up’ Inquiry into Opportunities for sea are the primary basis for economic Emissions Reduction Fund. Through a monitoring, helping to prevent threats Expanding Aquaculture in Northern Australia development. Traditional Owners there partnership with INPEX, the ILSC delivers a (pests, weeds, diseases) to human and (Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia, aspire to hold commercial fishing licences. SFM program assisting Indigenous groups animal health and to Australia’s natural and February 2016) pointed to an escalating to plan and implement fire projects across agricultural environments from penetrating world-wide demand for seafood-based The ILSC can offer support for acquisition the Northern Territory, supporting economic across Australia’s ‘northern barrier’ facing protein; however, the Australian industry and development of Indigenous aquaculture development opportunities through New Guinea and Asia. Around 70 skilled had developed mainly in the south of the businesses, the purchase of fishing licences, the application of traditional ecological ranger groups play a vital biosecurity role, continent. The inquiry reported that some 1.5 or assisting Indigenous groups to care for knowledge. with many located along coastlines in very million hectares of land in northern Australia and reconnect with water country. remote areas. had been assessed as suitable for aquaculture.

16 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 17 Relationships & links The ILSC will work with stakeholders to Other land-based entities are: Larrakia Development Corporation, Darwin, NT provide insights on what has worked in www.larrakia.com Anindilyakwa Land Council, NT (Groote previous and existing projects, tailored to The ILSC always seeks to consult and partner Eylandt) Thamurrurr Development Corporation, local aspirations and expertise. with local and regional organisations in taking www.anindilyakwa.com.au Wadeye, NT advantage of opportunities on Indigenous- The native title representative bodies and www.thamarrurr.org.au Tiwi Land Council, NT (Tiwi Islands) held land. Collaboration is a core principle service providers across this region are: underpinning ILSC projects. www.tiwilandcouncil.com Yothu Yindi Foundation, north-east Arnhem Land, NT This region has a relatively high Indigenous Alliances are being pursued at four levels: Carpentaria Land Council, Qld www.yyf.com.au population and is home to many significant www.clcac.com.au 1. Networks – connecting the ILSC to Indigenous organisations, delivering services Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, interests in the wider Indigenous Estate. Cape York Land Council, Qld in a range of areas (health, legal aid, economic Cairns, NT 2. Communities of practice – connecting www.cylc.org.au development, advocacy, etc.) in addition to www.balkanu.com.au Indigenous groups with shared interests the land-related organisations above. Kimberley Land Council, WA Cape York Partnership, Cairns, Qld and experiences within and across www.klc.org.au Much local government is also in Indigenous www.capeyorkpartnership.org.au industries. This is particularly relevant hands or Indigenous-specific. Areas Northern Land Council, NT in the context of the ILSC’s new role in encompassing Aboriginal communities across www.nlc.org.au water, but is also relevant across the the Top End of the Northern Territory are Other relevant entities: spectrum of activities that the ILSC can North Queensland Land Council serviced by a network of regional councils: support. Cooperative Research Centre for Developing www.nqlc.com.au West Daly, Victoria Daly, Tiwi Islands, West Northern Australia, Townsville, Qld – cooperation and Arnhem, East Arnhem and Roper Gulf. 3. Partnerships Queensland South Native Title Services www.crcna.com.au collaboration between the ILSC and Northern Queensland is home to many www.qsnts.com.au Indigenous groups on key projects and self-governing Indigenous communities Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander shire activities. Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), Qld Townsville, Qld www.tsra.gov.au councils), including Aurukun, Doomadgee, www.gbrmpa.gov.au 4. Strategic alliances – formal Hope Vale, Lockhart River, Mornington Island, arrangements involving the ILSC, key The TSRA, governed by a representative Palm Island, Woorabinda and Yarrabah and Office of Northern Australia, Darwin, NT Indigenous land and water holding board, manages the Australian Government’s the islands of the Torres Strait. www.northernaustralia.gov.au bodies, industry partners and/or Indigenous programs throughout the Torres Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association government partners. Strait. Other Indigenous organisations in this region include: www.ntca.org.au North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA), an alliance of northern Indigenous organisations based in Darwin, NT www.nailsma.org.au Aarnja, a west and central Kimberley Aboriginal membership organisation, WA www.aarnja.org.au KRED, Broome, WA www.kred.org.au Nyamba Buru Yawuru, Broome, WA www.yawuru.com Wunan Foundation, east Kimberley, WA www.wunan.org.au Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory www.amsant.org.au/apont Jawoyn Association, Katherine, NT www.jawoyn.org.au

18 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 19 APPENDIX: RELEVANT Queensland Northern Territory Western Australia Legislation • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land • Aboriginal Land Act 1978 • Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act Holding Act 2013 • Heritage Act 2011 1972 Commonwealth • Aboriginal Land Act 1991 and Torres Strait • Mineral Titles Act 2010 • Aboriginal Communities Act 1979 • Native Title Act 1993 Islander Land Act 1991 • Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites • Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander • Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007 Act 1989 • Aboriginal Heritage (Marandoo) Act 1992 Heritage Protection Act 1984 • Coastal Protection and Management Act • Parks and Reserves (Framework for the • Land Administration Act 1997 • Environment Protection and Biodiversity 1995 Future) Act 2004 and Territory Parks and • Titles (Validation) and Native Title (Effect Conservation Act 1999 • Land Act 1994 Wildlife Conservation Act 2005 of Past Acts) Act 1995 • Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern • Local Government (Aboriginal Lands) Act • Pastoral Land Act 1992 • Western Australia Agreement (Ord River Territory) Act 1976 1978 • Petroleum Act and Petroleum (Submerged Irrigation) Act 1968 (Commonwealth) • Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental • Native Title (Queensland) Act 1993 Lands) Act • Western Australian Agreement (Ord River Agreement Act 2001 • Nature Conservation Act 1992 • Validation (Native Title) Act 1994 Irrigation) Act 1980 (Commonwealth) • Great Artesian Basin Strategic • Wild Rivers Act 2005 and Validation of Titles and Actions • Water Services Act 2012 Management Plan 2018-2033 • Water Plan (Great Artesian Basin and Amendment Act 1998 • Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 Other Regional Aquifers) 2017 • National Environment Protection Council • Land Drainage Act 1925 • Great Barrier Reef Marine Park • Northern Territory Environment Protection • Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 Regulations 1983 Authority Act • Waterways Conservation Act 1976 • Water Act 2000 • Environment Protection (Alligator Rivers • Land Drainage (Validation) Act 1996 Region) Act 1978 • Water Regulation 2016 • National Environment Protection Council • Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection • Northern Territory Fisheries Act 2017 (WA) Act 1996 and Management Act 1993 • NT of Australia Water Act 1992 • Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984 • Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife • Water corporation Act 1995 Conservation Act • Marine and Harbours Act 1981 • Waterways Conservation Act 1976 • Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984

20 | Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) Regional Indigenous Land and Sea Strategy (Northern Australia) | 21 The Indigenous Estate The Indigenous Estate holds the key to successful economic development for all Indigenous Australians. Its significant tangible and intangible assets—not just land and waters, but people and the knowledge and intellectual property flowing from the heritage of Indigenous Australians—must be used for the benefit of all Indigenous Australians. The Indigenous Estate is the focus of the ILSC’s efforts. Western Division Central Division Eastern Division (WA) (SA, VIC, TAS, NT) (QLD, NSW, ACT) Level 20, 140 St Georges Terrace Level 7, 70 Franklin Street, Level 18, 100 Creek Street Perth WA 6000 Adelaide SA 5000 Brisbane QLD 4000 PO Box 7502 Cloisters Square GPO Box 652 GPO Box 5212 Perth WA 6850 Adelaide SA 5001 Brisbane QLD 4001 T (08) 9420 6300 T (08) 8100 7102 T (07) 3854 4600 F (08) 9467 2800 F (08) 8100 7150 F (07) 3056 3394 E [email protected] E [email protected] E [email protected]