The State Government has agreed to a transfer of land to the Mingullatharndo Association in the Shire of Roebourne, for its continued use as an Aboriginal Training and Rehabilitation Centre.
Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said that the transfer agreement would help to secure the future of the community and ensure the centre was able to continue providing essential community services.
"For nearly 23 years, the Mingullatharndo Community Aboriginal Training and Rehabilitation Centre has worked to preserve Aboriginal language and culture and support local people with alcohol and drug dependencies," he said.
"I am delighted this transfer has been finalised and am sure it will provide a great benefit to a not-for-profit organisation that has achieved such strong community outcomes."
Mr Grylls said the association's tenure situation was raised during a recent visit to the community by the State's Aboriginal Affairs Coordinating Committee (AACC).
"With their current tenure due to expire in June, the association was very keen to discuss a freehold tenure option which would provide future stability and security for their community," he said
"With the support of the AACC, the Department of Regional Development and Lands worked to advance a mutually agreeable transfer arrangement that would see the association granted freehold tenure of the land they have leased since 1988."
Indigenous Affairs Minister Peter Collier said the centre worked to advance the interests of the dry community through a number of initiatives and was well respected in the wider Roebourne area, with many of the adults recognised as leaders.
"The community has a strict all children to school policy and has been able to provide jobs and training to locals through the establishment of a commercially viable wholesale native nursery which received $100,000 in Royalties for Regions funding," Mr Collier said.
The Regional Grants Scheme (RGS) provided the funding through the Pilbara Development Commission. The RGS is a Royalties for Regions initiative which aims to improve services in regional Western Australia.
Conditions of the sale preserve the use of the land as an Aboriginal Training and Rehabilitation Centre.
Lands Minister's office - 9213 7000
Indigenous Affairs Minister's office - 9213 7150
