16 September, 2024
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) held its 461st meeting on Wednesday, 4 September 2024. Several topics were discussed during the one-day meeting, including:
Sponsorship of the Elders Olympics
The Council has approved a sponsorship package for the 2025 Elders Olympics. The event will take place in Inverell from April 9 to 11, 2025 and is being hosted and organised by the Inverell Bear Eaters Elders Group, the winners of the 2024 Elders Olympics.
NSWALC has been a proud supporter of the Elders Olympics since 2016, an event that sees hundreds of elders gather from across the state.
Land Dealings
The NSWALC Council resolved four land dealings, which include a development application (DA) to build a duplex, subdivision for a Roads to Home project, a lease to a telecommunications company, and the exchange of a property with an Aboriginal health service.
Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) Report
Council was presented with an outcomes report following participation in EMRIP in July 2024. The event was attended by Cr Smith, BJ Cruse from Eden LALC, who was supported to attend, and an NSWALC staff member.
NSWALC successfully presented 5 of the 6 interventions prepared and took the opportunity to meet with and engage the Australian Ambassador and Permanent Representative regarding concerns, support, and advocacy for the Network.
The Council noted the Internal Outcomes Report and approved the preparation of a future paper to discuss a pathway forward for identifying options for NSWALC’s future human rights work.
Investment Update
The Council received the NSWALC Investment Fund report for the month ending July 2024, which recorded a 2.5% return for the period and 7.7% for the previous 12 months. The Investment Fund recorded 4.6%, 5.8% and 6.4% for the previous three, five and 10-year periods.
The investment fund is performing in accordance with the established investment strategy and is consistent with market benchmarks.
Approval of 2024-25 Operational Plan
Each year a NSWALC Operational Plan is developed to thoroughly map the delivery of each project and program that sits under the Strategic Plan Supplement 2023-2026.
The Operational Plan is an internal document, which provides NSWALC’s Teams and Streams with the framework for the delivery of their work over the given year. The Plan allows each staff member to see a direct linkage between their day to day work, and how they contribute to the implementation of NSWALC’s Strategic Plan 2022-2026.
The Operational Plan and the associated Quarterly Outcomes Reporting Process also guides the collection of key data that informs NSWALC’s annual Social Impact Report.
The Council approved the 2024-25 Operational Plan, with the first internal reporting on the plan to commence in late September 2024.
Treaty Strategy
In preparation for the NSW Government’s plans to appoint Treaty Commissioners and begin a consultation process in 2025, the Council was presented with a proposed engagement strategy. There was comprehensive discussion regarding the importance of the Network in this process, opportunities for engagement, and the potential negotiation processes.
The Council resolved to approve the Treaty Strategy and to invite the Treaty Commissioners, once appointed, to meet with the Council and discuss their plans moving forward.
Council Wrap up video
To keep the network informed about Council decisions, Chairperson Raymond Kelly has shared some highlights from the meeting in a video.