Aboriginal corporation signs leases for Albany land

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Judyth Watson today signed leases giving the Albany Aboriginal Corporation control over about four hectares of land in the south coast town.

The land in Maxwell Street was designated as the Mt Melville Aboriginal reserve in 1962 under the then Native Welfare Act.  It came under the control of the Aboriginal Lands Trust in 1986.

Dr Watson said the 99-year lease for the land signed today offered long-term secure tenure to the Albany Aboriginal Corporation.

"The formal presentation of the lease is a demonstration of this Government's active commitment to support Aboriginal self-determination and to give the Aboriginal people control over their own land," she said.

The Minister said the Government was committed to supporting and advancing the aspirations of the Noongar people of the south-west of the State, as it was to Aboriginal people throughout Western Australia.

Dr Watson said the corporation was still formulating plans for the future use of the Mt Melville land.