Published on Wednesday, 20 December 2023 at 8:09:33 AM
The South West Native Title Settlement is a significant agreement between the Noongar people and the Western Australian Government.
It recognises around 30,000 Noongar people as Traditional Owners, covering 200,000 sq km in the south-west of WA.
The Settlement involves annual State payments of $60 million and includes the transfer of up to 320,000 hectares of Crown land.
Crown land in Western Australia is managed by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH).
Read more about Crown Land in WA here.
The DPLH collaborates with stakeholders to facilitate land transfers as part of the Settlement.
The Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation, which covers a large area from Bridgetown to Esperance and includes Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun, has benefited from the Settlement, with the DPLH asking the Shire of Ravensthorpe Council for comment on a number of Land Lists in relation to Unallocated Crown Land or Unmanaged Reserves in Ravensthorpe recently.
While the Shire of Ravensthorpe lacks a decision-making role in the transfer of Crown land, the Shire can make comments in relation to issues such as:
- Integration to the overall economic growth strategy and the towns housing plan
- Any development or removal of native vegetation would need to adhere to the Shires Local Planning Scheme
- A new Certificate of Title would need to be created for the land as the proposal is for freehold
- That the land will be rateable if taken as freehold
- If requesting a freehold transfer, the lots will be subject to the Shire of Ravensthorpe firebreak requirements
- The land use would need to comply with current zoning/reserve purposes
- All other State agencies will need to be contacted with regards to water supply, environmental and mining issues
- Whether there are any future proposals that may affect the land or nearby parcels of land
QUICK LINKS:
South West Native Title Settlement
Noongar (Koorah, Nitja, Boordahwan) (Past, Present, Future) Recognition Act 2016
Noongar Land Estate
The Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation
Crown land in WA
Back to All News