The McGowan Government and the Yamatji Nation have today announced the establishment of the Yamatji Nation Charitable Trust, a significant milestone in the implementation of the Yamatji Nation Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
Covering approximately 48,000 square kilometres of land in the State's Mid-West region, the Yamatji Nation Agreement resolves the Western Australian Government's compensation liability for the impairment and/or extinguishment of native title in the agreement area and includes a package of benefits for the Yamatji people, totalling approximately $500 million.
With the Yamatji Nation Trust in place, the first of these benefits can be transferred - a cash contribution of $10 million.
Over the next 15 years, the Yamatji Nation Trust will receive $325 million in cash, as well as commercial property, access to housing properties for sale, leasing or development, revenue streams from mining, and from leasing or sale of land in the Oakajee Industrial Estate, funding for business development and funding to develop water resources under the Yamatji Nation's Strategic Aboriginal Water Reserve for use or trade.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson attended a special event in Geraldton today, where he presented the Directors of the Yamatji Nation Trust with a symbolic first payment, a presentational cheque for $10 million.
The event was followed by the official opening of the Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation headquarters, which is located in the heart of Geraldton and sets the Yamatji Nation people up as key stakeholders in the region.
The Yamatji Nation Agreement also includes a State Government contribution of $900,000 towards the purchase price of the building.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson:
"This is a really significant agreement for the Yamatji people so it's fantastic to see things moving so quickly into the implementation phase.
"This swift progress makes it clear that the Agreement is widely supported by the people of the Yamatji Nation.
"The McGowan Government remains committed to working in partnership with the Yamatji Nation to ensure they realise the maximum benefit from this historic agreement.
"With such a large portfolio of assets, the people of the Yamatji Nation will soon be the largest land holders in the Mid-West, and the go-to people for miners, developers and joint venturers hoping to undertake activities in the Agreement area.
"This historic Agreement will also have a positive impact on the regional economy and will therefore benefit everyone who lives in the Mid-West region."
