Jinparinya Abor. Corp. granted perpetual lease over Pilbara land

5/11/96

The Jinparinya Aboriginal Corporation is the first Aboriginal community in the Pilbara to be granted a perpetual lease over a portion of pastoral land, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kevin Prince announced today.

Well-respected Aboriginal elder and JAC chairman Mr Peter Coppin accepted the two perpetual leases, over a part of the Pippingarra pastoral lease, from Mr Prince at a ceremony in Port Hedland today.

The Mugarinya Community Association has a lease over Pippingarra, which is owned by the Aboriginal Lands Trust, until 2015.

Mr Prince said the perpetual leases, which covered 1598ha of land in an area 30kms north-east of Port Hedland, would be used by the corporation to further develop residential properties and other economic ventures.

JAC would hold the leases until it decided to relinquish them, if at all.

"The lease is granted under the Land Act and is to be used for residential and economic development associated with Aboriginal heritage and culture," the Minister said.

"It gives me great pleasure to present Mr Coppin, who recently retired from working with the Mugarinya community for 30 years, with the leases.

"I wish him well with his plans to establish a base for his extended family for living and other purposes."

Mr Prince said there were already four permanent houses on the lease. The community was connected to the Port Hedland water supply, it had its own power supply and a basic workshop.

The community's current population of 15 was expected to increase as the community developed.

"Those already living there have maintained the area well and the living area is fenced," Mr Prince said.

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 366 0300