NSWALC returns title deed for rural stations to North West Land Councils

31 March, 2015

31 March 2015

NSWALC returns title deed for rural stations to North West Land Councils

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) today officially returned the title deed of a number of properties to 17 Local Aboriginal Land Councils in the State's North West region.

At a ceremony held at Calooma Station near Bourke, NSWALC Chair Craig Cromelin and North West Region Councillor Anne Dennis officially handed the title for rural properties to the North West Land Corporation, which comprises 17 Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

The Land Councils are Cobar, Nulla Nulla, Murrawari, Weilmoringle, Brewarrina, Goodooga, Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Coonamble, Baradine, Pilliga, Wee Waa, Moree, Toomelah, Narrabri, Mungindi and Collarenebri.

Cr Cromelin said the 17 Land Councils entered into the North West Land Corporation as equal partners to pursue economic and business development opportunities.

"The hand back of Calooma Station and Kaituna Uno followed lengthy consultation with the 17 Local Aboriginal Land Councils in the region and it's a great outcome to see this land returned back for the benefit of local people.

NSWALC North West Councillor Anne Dennis said NSWALC assumed responsibility for the rural properties after the NSW Government of Nick Greiner abolished all Regional Councils in the 1990s.

"After careful negotiation with the Local Aboriginal Land Councils, NSWALC made the decision to hand the property back to the North West Land Corporation.

North-West Land Corporation Deputy Chair Allan Lamb said the Land Councils were pleased that the return of land was now finalised and were looking forward to building a sustainable future for community.

"For people who are no longer with us but fought to get the properties in the first place, like Tombo Winters, Steve Gordon, Aunty Isabel Flick, Aunty Julie Whitton, Uncle George 'Bandit' Rose, Essie 'Bush Queen' Coffey, Les and James Shillingsworth, it's a memorable day - as it is for George Fernando, Les Trindall and Joe Weatherall who as former chair of the North West region were part of the struggle."

"Now we want to make the most of it by creating employment and training opportunities and pursuing our cultural and heritage program.

"These opportunities are badly needed in our communities to help overcome the effects of dispossession, the incarceration of our people as well as the shortage of jobs and skills in the area," Mr Lamb said.

Media contact: Andrew Williams 0429 585 291

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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