23 February, 2016
Community Development Fund sharing Land Rights wealth base
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to eligible Local Aboriginal Land Councils for the acquisition of land and land management activities.
The Fund started last year with 12 Local Aboriginal Land Councils securing funding.
The funding round for 2016 is now open and applications will be accepted until 5pm, 15 April 2016.
The Community Development Fund aims to ensure all Local Aboriginal Land Councils share in the wealth of the land rights network.
It is designed to evenly spread the wealth from Land Councils with more valuable land holdings to Land Councils with less valuable land and development opportunities.
The Community Development Fund was introduced following a 2009 amendment to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.
The Fund strengthens self-determination with funding generated by the Land Rights network.
Funds are generated by levies on certain Local Aboriginal Land Council “land dealings” which are paid into the Fund, with NSWALC then matching those contributions.
Local Aboriginal Land Councils are being invited to apply for the 2016 Community Development Fund round.
Details on how to apply are available at https://alc.org.au/nswalc-in-the-community/community-development-grants.aspx