Ord River Irrigation Scheme agreements between Govt and Aborigines

9/6/96

A milestone has been reached in the development of the second stage of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, with the signing of agreements between the Government of Western Australia and representatives of the Aboriginal community.

Official agreements were signed in Kununurra this week between the Minister and elders and representatives of the Miriuwung Gajerrong Families Heritage and Land Council and between the State Government, Kimberley Land Council and Aboriginal representatives.

The agreements followed a series of meetings this year involving a working party consisting of representatives from the Government of Western Australia, the Aboriginal community, Aboriginal Legal Service, Kimberley Land Council, Northern Land Council, Northern Territory Government, Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley.

Mr Barnett said the agreements were essentially in two parts:

Aboriginal representatives had endorsed a heritage survey process to proceed to allow for essential hydro geological drilling work to be undertaken during the coming months.

In turn, the Government had agreed to finalise land tenure to the outstanding applications involving Aboriginal communities living in the North East Kimberley.

The Minister said broad agreement had been reached to resolve outstanding land applications, which included 50,000 hectares of predominantly bushland involving nine existing small Aboriginal communities. Discussions were continuing regarding the tenure of small parcels of land for a further 13 communities.

"These agreements highlight the co-operative approach between the local Aboriginal representatives and Government agencies, such as the Departments of Resources Development, Aboriginal Affairs and the Kimberley Development Commission, to proceed with planning of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme in a way which will benefit all parties," he said.

Mr Barnett said that while these agreements represented a major step in the Ord Irrigation Scheme, positive negotiations would continue to play a pivotal role as a part of the ongoing process.

The Ord Irrigation Scheme Stage Two earmarks an area of about 64,000 hectares, taking in parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including the Weaber Plain, Keep River Plain, Knox Creek Plain and Carlton Plain.

The Minister said the Ord Irrigation Scheme had the potential to become one of the highest-yielding regional development areas in Australia.

Media contact: Carolyn Vicars 222 9699