1 April, 2025
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) met for its 468th meeting from Tuesday, 25 March 2025 to Thursday, 27 March 2025.
Over the three days, Councillors participated in a strategic workshop and discussed the critical challenges and opportunities faced by NSWALC, LALCs and communities toward achieving the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan 2022-26.
Strategic Workshop – 25-26 March 2025
Meeting with the NSW Treaty Commissioners
Summary
Council met with NSW Treaty Commissioners Naomi Moran, Aden Ridgeway and Dr. Todd Fernando to discuss Treaty ahead of the commencement of the NSW Treaty process later in 2025.
Council emphasised NSWALC’s recommendations on Treaty principles and the importance of an inclusive pathway to Treaty including but not limited to, a) Ensuring that the treaty process is inclusive, accountable and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal peoples, b) Protecting and strengthening existing self-determination structures, such as LALCs; and c) Ensuring that the process protects existing gains by Aboriginal peoples – such as Land Rights in NSW.
Outcome
The meeting was a positive step, and an opportunity for NSWALC and Treaty Commissioners to share perspectives on the Treaty process.
Strategic Planning Process
Summary
Council reviewed the key themes identified as part of NSWALC’s ongoing Strategic Planning process including further exploring four key areas of focus for the new plan:
- Land Activation: Deliver sustainable revenue, jobs and housing for community; and
- Community Outcomes: Foster community partnerships, community planning initiatives and community priorities; and
- Foundations: Deliver strong governance and operational foundations to drive positive community outcomes; and
- Advocacy: Advocate for Land Rights with respect to acquisition and activation and community outcomes, as well as CAPO and Closing the Gap.
Over the coming months NSWALC will continue to work through these key themes to create a draft 2026-2030 Strategic Plan to confirm organisational priorities for the next four years.
Outcome
Continue to engage with LALCs and community, including at the 2025 Statewide Conference in October, to ensure the process in the development of the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan is thorough and includes strategic grass roots community input.
Council Meeting – 27 March 2025
Statutory Investment Fund Update
Summary
Council was updated on the performance of the Statutory Investment Fund.
- For the 2024/25 Financial Year to date (as of 28 February 2025), the fund has returned $41.2 million, $11.89 million over budget.
- Council also discussed the updated Statement of Investment Objectives and Policy (SIOP).
Outcome
Council considered the updated SIOP and resolved to adopt it.
NSWALC Sponsorship Program
Summary
Council discussed sponsorship support for the NSW Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association Inc (ACHAA) 2025 Regional Conference. The official opening of the conference will be hosted at the Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre 20-21 May 2025. Council discussed the proposal’s alignment with the Strategic Plan 2022-26, Goals 2 & 4.
Outcome
Council approved NSWALC Sponsorship of $30,000 to support the NSW Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association Inc (ACHAA) 2025 Regional Conference.
NSWALC Community Fund Grants
Summary
Council discussed three projects that have applied for funding support through the NSWALC Community Fund Grant Program.
Outcome
Council approved $600,000 in funding across four LALCs under the NSWALC Community Fund Grant Program for the following programs that were determined to be best aligned with the NSWALC Strategic Plan 2022-2026:
- Gilgandra LALC
- Project: The Pines – Clean-up & security
- Casino-Boolangle LALC
- Project: To maintain cultural lands and improve operational capacity
- Cowra LALC
- Project: Erambie Land Management Plan – Part 3
- Walhallow LALC
- Project: Walhallow Cultural Tourism Capacity Building.
Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council Appointments
Summary
Council discussed appointments to the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council (AFAC).
Outcome
Council nominated Cr Danny Chapman as NSWALC’s primary representative to the Aboriginal Fishing Advisory Council (AFAC). Cr Diane Randall was nominated as an alternate representative.