Anthony Lagoon land handed back to traditional owners

Media release - Minister Wyatt

Traditional owners in Wampaya country, north-east of Tennant Creek, have today received the title to more than 600 hectares of land around Anthony Lagoon.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, delivered the Deed in-person, confirming their exclusive rights to use and develop the land.

“The grant of inalienable freehold land ownership recognises the enduring cultural and spiritual connection Aboriginal traditional owners have with their land,” Minister Wyatt said.

“Anthony Lagoon, or Karrkarrkuwaja, has many sites and stories of significance, and this Deed provides a strong form of title so the Wampaya people can protect these and realise the benefits of land ownership.

“The Morrison Government is committed to recognising traditional Aboriginal ownership of land and finalising land claims in the Northern Territory.

“The Wampaya people have been fighting for a long time to have their rights recognised and I’m pleased that all interested parties have been able to reach this agreement.

“Today’s handover is a good example of what can be achieved when we take a pragmatic and cooperative approach to resolving land claims.

“The Morrison Government looks forward to seeing the future decisions that traditional owners will make about the use of the land for the benefit of their people.”

The grant is the result of a Settlement Deed between the Northern Land Council, the Northern Territory of Australia and Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) to finalise the Anthony Lagoon Area Land Claim No. 74, which included a ‘land swap’ arrangement with pastoral interests.

The deed has been granted to the Gagaguwaja Aboriginal Land Trust, which is administered by the Northern Land Council, to hold on behalf of the traditional owners.