Empowering Noongar people to realise benefits of the South West Native Title Settlement

Media release - Minister Wyatt

The Noongar people in south-west Western Australia are celebrating the commencement of the historic South West Native Title Settlement and are being empowered to develop economic, social and cultural opportunities from the use of their lands and waters.

To help the Noongar nation realise the full potential of the settlement, the Morrison Government is providing $10.26 million to support the transformation of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) into a new central services corporation, which will support and coordinate the six regional groups.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said the $1.3 billion South West Native Title Settlement is the largest in Australia’s history and enables the Noongar people to meet their aspirations for self-determination.

“The Noongar people fought hard for a long time to have their rights properly recognised and this next step will turn their vision into a reality,” Minister Wyatt said.

“SWALSC has provided valuable native title services in the region for some time and their new role in coordinating the parties to the Settlement will realise economies of scale and allow the regional Aboriginal Corporations to focus on their work of developing their interests.

“This means the Settlement – which includes commercial assets, community housing and joint management of conservation areas – will be used to maximum effect to improve the lives of Noongar people.”

Member for Swan, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the funding will help to establish strong and effective governance structures and corporate services so that settlement assets and resources are well-distributed and sustained over time.

“The new central services corporation will support the Noongar Regional Corporations and provide shared administrative and enabling functions, saving a duplication of services and allowing more money to hit the ground through projects rather than administration,” Mr Irons said.

“They will also serve to build organisational capacity across the region and help the Regional Corporations to become self-sufficient and achieve the best possible outcomes for the Noongar people.”

The South West Native Title Settlement is the culmination of almost a decade of negotiations and will cover almost 200,000 square kilometres, or an area close to the size of the state of Victoria. It includes Leeman in the north, the Perth metropolitan area, Albany in the south and extends to Mount Holland in the east.

Today, 56 per cent of all land in Australia has recognised Indigenous interest, with 42 per cent subject to a native title determination and 14 per cent under native title claim. These rights are held by 234 native title corporations.