23 March, 2023
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) met for its 440th meeting in Parramatta from Wednesday 15 March to Thursday 16 March 2023.
A number of topics were discussed, including a review of the Land Dealings Policy, a revised 2022-2023 Budget and expansion of the Aboriginal Community Connector initiative, to include four additional communities.
Land Dealings Policy
NSWALC is reviewing the current Policy on the Assessment and Approval of Local Aboriginal Land Council Land Dealings (Land Dealings Policy) pursuant to Division 4 of Part 2of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (ALRA). The review will take into account amendments to the ALRA, which came into effect on 25 November 2022.
NSWALC will consult with the LALC Network prior to adopting a revised Land Dealings Policy, and will invite LALCs via letter to submit their comments on the revised Policy.
Investment Update
The Council received the NSWALC Investment Fund report for the month ending 28 February 2023, which recorded a positive 0.2% return for the period and positive 2.6% for the previous 12 months.
The Investment Fund recorded positive 5.1%, 5.0% and 6.9% for the previous three, five and 10-year periods.
2022-23 Revised Budget
The NSWALC Mid-Year Budget Review is an opportunity to amend the budget based on expenditure in the year to date. It also identifies potential savings in line with Council’s commitment to sustainable spending to meet business operational requirements and NSWALC’s commitments to the Community.
The NSWALC Council approved the 2022-2023 Revised Budget at its 15 March meeting, pursuant to Sections 106 (5), (8), 149 and 150 of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.
Strategic Plan and Supplement
Council discussed the preparations for the remaining three years of NSWALC’s Strategic Plan development and consultation.
To give the Network greater visibility of the Strategic Plan and to reduce consultation fatigue, Council agreed to consult with the Network and Aboriginal Owners on the remaining three years in one process.
Council also received a quarterly report against the Q2 of the Strategic Plan Supplement 2022/23.
Premier’s Priority – Aboriginal Community Connectors
Council was updated on the expansion of the Aboriginal Community Connector initiative.
NSWALC recently signed a funding agreement with the NSW Department of Education and NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet to fund four new sites and extend the initiative to the end of 2024. The four new sites are:
- Armidale – Armajun Aboriginal Medical Service
- Dubbo – Dubbo Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Wilcannia – Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council
- Lightning Ridge – Lightning Ridge Local Aboriginal Land Council
All the sites are in the final stages of recruitment, with the new Aboriginal Community Connectors expected to start in April in time for the second school term.
The NSWALC Council also resolved to write a letter of support for the evaluation of the Premier’s Aboriginal Education Priority, which includes assessing the Aboriginal Community Connector initiative.