State Government ends 15-year wait by granting traditional owners living areas in Purnululu National

The State Government today demonstrated its commitment to reconciliation with the granting of living areas for traditional owners in the Purnululu National Park in the Kimberley.

The State Government today demonstrated its commitment to reconciliation with the granting of living areas for traditional owners in the Purnululu National Park in the Kimberley.

Premier Geoff Gallop, Environment Minister Judy Edwards and the Minister for the Kimberley, Tom Stephens, today presented living area leases - covering 1,000ha - to the Kawarre Aboriginal Corporation and the Kayiyirriwareny Aboriginal Corporation.

The two extended family groups formally requested the Government to approve the living area leases as far back as July, 1987 - 15 years ago.

Dr Gallop said the signing of the leases marked the end of many years of frustrating waiting by indigenous groups in the Kimberley.

It also signalled the beginning of a new era in relation to the involvement of Aboriginal people in natural land management and the conservation of the State's biodiversity.

"This is an historic occasion," the Premier said.

"For the first time, traditional owners in Western Australia will have full legal entitlement to live on their traditional lands in a conservation reserve.

"The State Government is committed to working with traditional owners and respecting their native title rights.

"The granting of these living leases today demonstrates the Government's commitment to involving traditional owners in managing areas in national parks and working in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Land Management to conserve their lands - now and for future generations."

Dr Gallop said the Government was also moving to set up a Purnululu Park Council that would comprise representatives of traditional owners.

A Deed of Agreement to establish the council would be signed soon by the Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards and the Purnululu Aboriginal Corporation.

"We are investigating new ways in which conservation lands can be owned by indigenous groups and managed as national parks," the Premier said.

"Joint management of conservation lands and waters with traditional owners will be incorporated into relevant legislation.

"Such joint arrangements have the potential to provide enormous benefits for biodiversity conservation, as it will enable the lands to be managed according to traditional land management practices."

Dr Gallop said Purnululu National Park had been nominated by Australia for World Heritage listing in 2002.

The outcome of the nomination will be decided when the World Heritage Committee meets in mid-2003.

"Purnululu National Park and its associated conservation reserve cover 320,000ha," the Premier said.

"It has exceptional natural values such as the banded 'beehives' of the Bungle Bungle Range, which rise to 250m above the surrounding plain and which are recognised internationally as being among the most spectacular landforms on earth.

"The traditions of the indigenous owners have survived despite the impacts of European colonisation, particularly pastoralism which, in some areas, has had a significant impact on the local environment.

"So the granting of the living areas for traditional owners will ensure that these features continue for generations in the future."

Premier's office: 9222 9475