- Freehold land transfer to Nyamba Buru Yawuru Limited (NBY) for pivot irrigation development
- Land to be used for fodder production for the Roebuck Export Depot and Kimberley fodder market
- Indigenous Land Use Agreement negotiations to commence to support transfer
The Cook Government has approved a 420-hectare land transfer to support a proposed pivot irrigation development delivering benefits for the Yawuru people.
The land will be transferred to NBY in conditional freehold. The pivot irrigation development will create local jobs and supply fodder to support the Kimberley pastoral industry.
The land transfer is subject to the successful negotiation of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) and will support the diversification of NBY's agriculture operations to generate new and sustainable income for the Yawuru community.
The conditional freehold tenure will give Yawuru long-term secure ownership, along with their Native Title rights, over the land area in a boost to attract more investment into NYB's business proposals while also improving the economic viability of ongoing livestock production activities.
As stated by Lands Minister John Carey:
"I want to acknowledge NBY for developing new business ventures that benefit their communities, sustain their cultural heritage and provide more opportunities and better outcomes for traditional landowners.
"The Cook Government is committed to working with Traditional Owners to 'close the gap' by supporting social, cultural and economic opportunities for communities and Aboriginal businesses."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"This is a great outcome for the Yawuru community and demonstrates the Cook Government's commitment to supporting new opportunities for Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley.
"Subject to the successful negotiation of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement, the land transfer will provide NBY new commercial and business opportunities to benefit their local community."
