16 June, 2026
The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) is focused on highlighting key successful land claim outcomes from across the State.
Successful land claim outcomes make a meaningful difference for Aboriginal communities across NSW and demonstrate how the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network utilises reclaimed Crown Land.
Crown Land holds significant cultural, spiritual and heritage value for Aboriginal Communities, while also providing opportunities for social, cultural and economic development.
NSWALC continues to oppose the NSW Government’s proposed Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026, which, if passed, would significantly weaken the Aboriginal Land Rights Act and undermine the current land rights framework that has delivered positive outcomes for Aboriginal communities for decades.
STATUS UPDATE
In a meeting last week, Minister Kamper confirmed that amendments to the Bill, aimed at addressing serious concerns raised by NSWALC and the Land Rights Network, will be circulated to Aboriginal Land Councils by the end of this week.
NSWALC will carefully consider the amendments against the preservation of Land Rights before making a formal decision on its future participation in Closing the Gap at a meeting scheduled for the end of June. Both Ministers have been invited to attend the meeting.
SUCCESS STORY: Lightning Ridge LALC – The Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation Partnership
Another success story that has had a significant impact is the philanthropic partnership between the Lightning Ridge Local Aboriginal Land Council (LRLALC) and the Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation, which has unlocked funding to help the LALC establish community services, build capacity and foster employment pathways. This funding has been secured through the Foundation’s strong connections to national corporate donations networks such as Briggs and Stratton and Microsoft.
With this funding, the Lightning Ridge LALC has been able to improve community wellbeing by increasing access to quality household goods, lawn maintenance equipment, food and clothing, while also fostering employment pathways across the Community.
For example, the partnership delivered a digital hub equipped with computers, printers, and internet access, helping to eliminate digital barriers and improve access to telehealth services, job opportunities, online learning tools, and government services such as Centrelink.
The lawn maintenance equipment also helped generate a business that now services multiple towns, generating a sustainable income flow and creating local employment opportunities. The LRLAC’s access to donations as a result of this partnership meant they were also able to support the needs of surrounding LALCs through any surplus donations.
The Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation and LRLALC partnership has also championed Community health and resilience since the Coronavirus campaign, supplying COVID-19 tests, sanitiser, personal protective equipment (PPE) and food boxes.
This partnership highlights the importance of immediate, tangible support on the ground to ensure improved health, social, educational and economic outcomes for Aboriginal Communities. LALCs are responsible for ensuring this support is available within their communities.
These types of outcomes could be impacted by the Crown Land Management Amendment Bill 2025 and its hollowing out of Land Rights. Without access to Land, Aboriginal Communities face reduced opportunities to access health, social, education, and economic services.
NSWALC NEEDS YOU
Showcasing success stories helps foster positive engagement for both NSWALC and the broader NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network, while demonstrating to the NSW Government the significant work being undertaken by LALCs across the State.
These stories highlight the Network’s ongoing commitment to delivering tangible social, economic and cultural benefits for local Aboriginal Communities.
If you have a success story to share, please email your LALC’s details, a summary of your story, and the best spokesperson and contact this story to media@alc.org.au. Once submitted, the NSWALC media team will get in touch with the next steps to feature your story in the media, across socials and on the website.
READ MORE SUCCESS STORIES
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council is proud to share Success Stories: Aboriginal Land Rights Achievements in NSW — a publication highlighting the strength, resilience and innovation of the Aboriginal Land Rights Network across New South Wales. Click here to read the booklet!