17 November, 2014

The title deed of Appin Station has recently been returned by the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council to the Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Council at a low key ceremony.

Appin is situated 5 kilometres south of Menindee, in the Far West of NSW. It’s made up of 78,371 acres of land and 15 kms of river frontage along the Lower Darling, Appin.

The property ran sheep and could easily run cattle when it was originally bought in the late 80’s but it’s not sustainable because of drought and low water levels on the Darling River, but there’s potential for goat harvesting and tourism.

Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson Cheryl Bates Blore says she’s now looking forward to creating economic development opportunities with the return of Appin.

Appin was brought in the mid to late 80’s by the then Western Regional Land Council after the Local Land Councils in that area pooled their money to buy it.

But in the 1990’s, the Greiner Government abolished all Regional Councils and all the assets were given to NSW Aboriginal Land Council, including Appin.

Now, more than 15 years later, it’s back with local people to enjoy.