- Historic lands and conservation milestone under Tjiwarl Palyakuwa (Agreement)
- First land parcels transferred to Native Title Holders to create the Tjiwarl Land Estate
- Joint management and vesting of the expanded Wanjarri Nature Reserve
The WA Government and the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation (TAC) have reached historic lands and conservation milestones under the Tjiwarl Palyakuwa (Agreement), an Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
Today marks the transfer of a freehold parcel of land between Leinster and Wiluna, in the Goldfields, known as Tjiwarl (Logan Springs), to TAC.
TAC will jointly manage the area, which will include the newly expanded Wanjarri Nature Reserve and the new national park in Tjiwarl Country.
This is a cultural and historic milestone for the Tjiwarl Native Title Holders, with the first parcels of land in the determination area to be owned or managed by TAC that will help secure vital social, cultural, and economic opportunities over time.
These milestones are testimony to the commitment of both the Cook Government and TAC to facilitate positive outcomes for Tjiwarl Native Title Holders and work together to continue an ongoing relationship.
This outcome delivers on the Cook Government's Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy and the Plan for Our Parks initiative, through which 4.4 million hectares of conservation estate has been created in WA.
That policy has created hundreds of jobs for Traditional Owners throughout WA, boosted by a $73 million investment in the 2024-25 State Budget.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti:
"I would like to acknowledge the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation (TAC) and the Tjiwarl Native Title Holders for the commitment, dedication, and sincerity they brought to these achievements.
"It is wonderful to reach this significant milestone, and I look forward to working further with TAC to continue to deliver the benefits of the agreement for Tjiwarl people and their future generations."
As stated by Lands Minister John Carey:
"Assisting the Tjiwarl Land Estate is an ongoing commitment of the Cook Government, and this historic land transfer will play a role in securing vital social, cultural, and economic opportunities for Tjiwarl Native Title Holders.
"This agreement recognises the important connection of the Tjiwarl Native Title Holders to their Country and returns a place of high cultural significance back to the Traditional Owners."
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"The addition of 109,000 hectares of conservation estate is an important part of the Plan for Our Parks, under which we have undertaken the biggest conservation drive in our State's history and created hundreds of jobs for Traditional Owners.
"This agreement means Tjiwarl Country will be jointly managed, meaning Traditional Owners will be employed to manage and care for Country in a way only they know how to do."
As stated by Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson, Brett Lewis:
"This event celebrates an historic day. It marks the handing back of land to the Tjiwarl Native Title Holders who have been the custodians of this land for thousands of years.
"While Native Title has allowed us access to our traditional lands to continue to enjoy our traditional rights and interests, freehold title strengthens self-determination and provides a variety of options for use of land.
"The landmark settlement agreement with the State of Western Australia in 2023 provided the opportunity to secure land within the Tjiwarl Native Title area in the Northern Goldfields as a contribution to establishing the Tjiwarl Land Estate.
"These land parcels can then be cared for and used for a variety of purposes determined by the Native Title Holders, including cultural protection and activities, maintaining connection to country, and economic opportunities.
"It is highly significant that the first parcel of land transferring to Tjiwarl Native Title Holders is Tjiwarl (Logan Spring).
"This place is spiritually important and also the namesake of the Corporation that holds Native Title on behalf of our people.
"The hand back of land is a celebration and the result of a successful negotiation between Tjiwarl Native Title Holders and the State of Western Australia."
