First Crown reserve to be handed over to Aboriginal people under the State Government's Land Transfer Program

18/12/99

A remote Aboriginal community in the Kimberley made history today when it took over control of 87 ha of land from Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Dr Kim Hames.
Pandanus Park is part of 27 million hectares - or 12 per cent of Western Australia - held by the Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT) and is the first Crown reserve to be handed over to Aboriginal people under the State Government's Land Transfer Program.

At a ceremony to mark the occasion, Dr Hames presented the Pandanus Park Aboriginal Corporation with a management order giving the community direct control over the reserve.
The Minister congratulated the community on its decision to take over direct management control of the land.
"Pandanus Park is known for its strong leadership and sense of community. It is a role model for many other Kimberley communities," he said.
"It recently took out an award in the Westrak Tidy Towns Awards for 1999."
The Minister also congratulated the many parties who worked together to make the transfer possible.

"It is the result of excellent co-operation and consultation between the community, the Aboriginal Affairs Department and the Aboriginal Lands Trust," he said.

The Minister also paid tribute to the late Senator Neville Bonner whose far-reaching report into the ALT recommended that all land held by the trust should be handed back to the Aboriginal people.

Although the trust no longer has any formal or legal control over the Pandanus Park reserve, both the ALT and the Aboriginal Affairs Department remain available to assist the community with its future land aspirations.
The transfer of management control over reserves does not affect native title rights and interests and while the land can be leased, the community cannot sell it.
Media contact: Caroline Lacy on 9424 7455
AAD: Karin Mac Arthur on 9235 8067