Land Services

YMAC’s Land Services unit is focused on achieving positive tenure outcomes for Aboriginal people. Land tenure offers viable economic, social and cultural outcomes when sound land administration governance can be achieved. During the reporting period, this unit: • Completed ten fee-for service land tenure projects. • Delivered land tenure presentations to the YMAC Board of Directors, as well as numerous PBCs. • Provided support to YMAC’s Land and Sea Management unit through the drafting of a prospectus for the creation of an IPA at Burringurrah. • Provided ongoing internal support in relation to land tenure and administration, as well as related

State Government land policies and processes. • Developed a new Land Governance and Administration Framework for publication in the latter half of 2021.

Native Title and Land Tenure

There are fundamental differences between land tenure and native title rights. Land tenure is the various types of rights and interests that governments can create or grant over land. By contrast, native title arises as a result of the recognition, under Australian common law, of pre-existing Indigenous rights and interests according to traditional laws and customs. Native title is not a grant or right created by governments. Find out more at: ag.gov.au/legal-system/native-title

Key Highlights

Pilbara Solar

Assisted in securing land tenure for a Pilbara Solar renewable energy project near Port Hedland, and also undertook a desktop land assessment for the development of an offshore renewable energy project within the Yamatji region.

Plan for Our Parks

Involved with Plan for Our Parks negotiations, providing land tenure information and advice internally, as well as to several of the PBCs negotiating with State Government regarding this initiative.

Delivery of Land Tenure Reports

Prepared several land tenure reports, including for Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, Badimia Native Title Claim Group, and Karajarri Lands. These reports help gain a better understanding of the various land tenure and interest holders that exist within the subject areas.

Policy Statement: Land in WA, Recognition of Traditional Owners

In November 2020, the YMAC Board formally adopted the Land Services unit’s proposed policy position: “Traditional Owners should be formally recognised as the owners of Crown land in Western Australia (WA). Legislation should be amended to reflect Aboriginal people (i.e. the respective Traditional Owners) as the rightful owners of the State’s Crown land in WA, with the power to use and manage this Country as they see fit.”

Land meets water in Baiyungu Country