Dear Minister

ILC Land Management Assistance

• 2010–11: $200,000 12-month extension of services; and

• 2011–2016: the ILC will continue to support PIMSS through the recently approved $8.1 million five-year joint funding (with DAFWA) commitment to the state-wide Indigenous Landholder Services Program.

Assistance of Other Agencies

• DAFWA $300,000 in 2010–11

During 2010–11, In-kind support was provided by:

• Ecologically Sustainable Rangeland Management;

• Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation; and

• BHP.

Regional land management projects

Kimberley Indigenous Management Support Service (KIMSS), WA

KIMSS is a major, regional collaborative partnership between the ILC and DAFWA. The project assists Indigenous pastoral leaseholders in the Kimberley to build on their existing expertise to develop profitable cattle enterprises resulting in sustained economic benefits to the region and significant employment and training opportunities for Indigenous people.

Project Description

KIMSS is a regional arm of the DAFWA Indigenous Landholder Services extension service which operates in WA. ILC funding assistance enables a team of up to eight extension officers (five of whom are Indigenous people) to directly engage with managers of Indigenous-held pastoral properties to assist with improved land management and help to lift the long-term economic performance of Indigenous pastoral enterprises. During 2010–11, 24 Indigenous pastoral properties in the Kimberley received assistance from KIMSS. The KIMSS project has been recognised nationally and internationally for its success in positive engagement with Indigenous land managers, resulting in significant improvements in land management, economic performance, governance and long-term training and employment of Indigenous people.

Project Partner

Department of Agriculture and Food WA.

Benefits Achieved

Infrastructure development

During 2010–11, two Kimberley Indigenous-held pastoral leases were approved to receive ILC infrastructure development funding totalling $463,125. Noonkanbah Station received $300,000 and Lamboo Station $163,125. Ongoing ILC-funded infrastructure projects worth $526,880 – Millijidee Station $295,000 and Mount Barnett Station $231,880 were also supported by KIMSS.

Direct Employment

• Five Indigenous people in three full-time extension officer positions and two in part-time positions.

Enabled Employment

• At least 36 full-time Indigenous staff working on Indigenous-held pastoral leases; and

• 54 Indigenous people who have part-time jobs on Kimberley Indigenous-managed pastoral properties.

Training

• 231 participations in training were achieved by the KIMSS project and Indigenous pastoralists working closely with Farm Training WA (a collaborative ILC/DAFWA funded project), TAFE and the Bina-Waji Nyurra-Nga Aboriginal Corporation;

• Accredited and non-accredited training included units in corporate governance, business management, land and livestock management; and

• One Indigenous station manager completed a Diploma in Agriculture. There were two completions of Certificates III in Rural Operations, and two completions of a Certificate III in Tourism.

Cultural and Social Benefits

• Better land management has led to better cultural site management. A number of significant cultural sites have been located. KIMSS project staff are helping to develop site protection plans; and

• Improved profitability of Indigenous pastoral enterprises has led to an increased availability of work for Indigenous people which has resulted in a reduced reliance on welfare and CDEP.

Other benefits

• 24 Indigenous-managed pastoral properties engaged with KIMSS;

• 12 Indigenous businesses have expanded, with 
10 increasing their profit margins; and

• The recognised success of work done by KIMSS was partly instrumental in the DAFWA Indigenous Landholder Services program success at the West Australian Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Public Sector Management. The program was the winner of the Revitalising the Regions category and was then selected as the overall winner of the Premier’s Awards for 2010.

ILC Land Management Assistance

• 2010–11: $412,500 to extend funding of the program until June 2011; and

• 2011–2016: the ILC will continue to support PIMSS through the recently approved $8.1m five-year joint funding (with DAFWA) commitment to the state-wide Indigenous Landholder Services Program.

Assistance of Other Agencies

• DAFWA: $484,250 (including $234,250 in kind);

• 2010–11: $450,000 (including $150,000 in kind);

• ILC-DAFWA Farm Training WA project: supports training in governance, planning, financial management, rural operations and beef cattle production; and

• KIMSS works closely with job service providers, training organisations and pastoral industry specialists to maximise the value of the service 
to Indigenous landholders.
Regional land management projects

FaHCSIA-Funded Jobs Program, NT

In collaboration with FaHCSIA, the ILC is assisting 163 Indigenous people throughout the NT into training leading to employment in the environmental land management and pastoral sectors, facilitating career development and entry into mainstream work.

Project Description

Funded by FaHCSIA, the ILC program targets employment in the environmental land management and pastoral sectors throughout the Northern Territory providing on-the-job and accredited training opportunities.

The FaHCSIA Funded Jobs Program is a major collaboration which includes: Northern Land Council (NLC), Central Land Council (CLC), Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation (JCAC), Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC), Laynhapuy Homelands Association Incorporated (LHAI) and the Tiwi Land Council (Tiwi LC) and the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA).

Benefits Achieved

Employment

Rangers

JCAC, LNAC, LHAI and the Tiwi LC employed 52 rangers in Tennant Creek, Darwin, Laynhapuy Indigenous Protected Area and the Tiwi Islands. The CLC and NLC employed 50 rangers across the CLC and NLC regions.

Pastoral Workers

In collaboration with the NTCA, the program provided employment and industry-designed training for 61 Indigenous people on 19 NT pastoral stations. The NTCA recruited employees to stations, provided on-ground support, coordinated training, mentored and assisted with career development.

Training

Rangers

Indigenous rangers attended 981 training events, developing their environmental management skills, over the past year. Funds were provided to ranger groups for this professional development. Registered training organisations such as Charles Darwin University and the Bachelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education provided training.

Pastoral Workers

Indigenous pastoral industry workers attended 355 training events during the year conducted by recognised experts in conjunction with Charles Darwin University. All Indigenous pastoral workers undertook accredited training units offered under Certificate I or II in Agriculture.

Cultural and Social Benefits

Rangers

Ltyentye Apurte Ranger group at CLC Santa Teresa near Alice Springs worked with Traditional Owners to protect natural springs. This involved fencing work to protect the natural spring areas from feral animals and erosion. The springs are of important cultural significance as rainmaker sites. The Miyalk Rangers from the Laynhapuy Homelands were involved in two separate cultural exchanges, one with a New Zealand delegation and another with a Melbourne school. The Miyalk Rangers also produced two practical instructional work DVD’s on plant propogation, nursery construction and ghost net recovery narrated in the traditional language Yolngu Matha. LNAC Men Rangers completed fencing works for the sacred site at Larrakeyah Barracks, a tremendous benefit to the wellbeing of Larrakia Men.

Other benefits – Environmental Benefits

Rangers

CLC – There was exceptional rainfall during 2010–2011. To address this, rangers developed fire management plans for the Tanami, Barkly, south west and central regions in consultation with Traditional Owners and the Bushfires Council.

NLC – Ranger groups put significant effort into reducing Mimosa Pigra infestations and worked regionally in collaboration with other ranger groups and NRETAS Weeds Management Branch under the NRM Board Daly/Moyle Mimosa Management Program.

Tiwi LC – Nursery workers at Milikapiti collected seeds, produced plants and either sold or planted shrubs, trees and food plants in and around the township, including pawpaw, custard apple, passion fruit, hibiscus, palms, crotons, weeping rosewood, pineapples, lemongrass, mulberry, frangipani, bananas, coffee trees and sweet potatoes.

LHAI – Miyalk Rangers participated in a five-day fauna survey in conjunction with Parks NT resulting in increased knowledge of the biodiversity in Eastern Arnhem Land and an understanding of research techniques and scientific processes.

JCAC – The Land Management Unit (LMU) established a modest demonstration garden at the nursery to show visiting community groups how to grow their own vegetables for consumption. The LMU were commissioned to do some environmental work for the ILC at the Banka Banka Station Caravan Park.

LNAC – Rangers were involved in sea country research that monitored chlorophyll levels related to flood plumes.

Pastoral Workers

Two NTCA employees undertook weed eradication, soil erosion prevention and bush fire preparedness works at Bohning Yards complex.

ILC Land Management Assistance

In 2010–2011, FaHCSIA provided $8,505,000. 
In addition, the ILC provided:

• $420,304 to the NLC under the Land Management program to employ a program manager and five ranger coordinators to provide supervision for the ranger program; and

• $682,838 to the CLC under the Land Management program to provide business enterprise and operational support for the ranger program.

Assistance of Other Agencies

Rangers – Additional assistance, advice and training was provided to ranger groups by the Aboriginal Benefits Account, SEWPaC, DEEWR, NT Natural Resource Management Board, AQIS and NRETAS.

Pastoral Workers – Other organisations providing funding to support and train the Indigenous pastoral workers included:

• $88,000 from DBE for OH&S Training DVD; and

• $180,000 from DET for student training.

Indigenous pastoral workers undertake first aid training.

Regional land management projects

Kimberley Ranger Program (KRP), WA

In collaboration with Traditional Owners, the Kimberley Land Council (KLC) and a number of government agencies, the ILC provides funds to assist Indigenous ranger groups to undertake large-scale natural resource management in the Kimberley region. The KRP focuses on developing Indigenous ranger groups into sustainable commercial business units through accredited training and building long-term careers for Indigenous people as cultural and environmental land managers.

Project Description

The KRP is a five-year project, running until 2014 in which the ILC provides funding for seven full-time staff employed by the KLC to consult with Traditional Owners on the formation of teams of Indigenous rangers. The developing ranger teams then transition from unemployment or CDEP to become Working on Country rangers and/or part of a highly trained fee-for-service NRM team. The development of ranger teams is guided by cultural advisory groups of Traditional Owners and initially supported financially by a number of government agencies and non-government organisations. The ranger teams will gradually transition to receiving the majority of their funding as NRM contractors working on a fee-for-service basis.

Project Partner

Kimberley Land Council (KLC).

Benefits Achieved

Direct Employment

In a project team of seven, two full-time positions were filled by Indigenous people.

Enabled Employment

163 Indigenous people were employed in 2010–11 working in or alongside eight Working on Country ranger groups and five developing ranger groups, made up of 58 full-time, five part-time and more than 100 people who were paid casual wages.

Training

• Rangers participated in 197 training courses during 2010–11;

• 17 people completed Certificate II and III courses in Conservation and Land Management and Building and Construction;

• Six rangers are continuing their Certificate IV studies in Conservation and Land Management; and

• Ranger Forum – the annual Kimberley Ranger Forum was held at Middle Lagoon north of Broome in June 2011.

Cultural and Social Benefits

• The KRP has helped 81 people to significantly increase their personal income working as rangers.

Other benefits

• KRP rangers regularly visit schools to conduct presentations on ranger work, species identification and other NRM subjects; and

• Cane Toads – KRP rangers work closely with the Department of Environment and Conservation, Stop the Toad and the Kimberley Toadbusters to assist in controlling the spread of cane toads.

ILC Land Management Assistance

$2.6m to June 2014 to fund seven co-ordinator positions.

Assistance of Other Agencies

• SEWPAC – commitment of $21m until June 2013 for Working on Country ranger groups;

• DEEWR – $330,000 funding through the Structured Training and Employment Program;

• Department of Environment and Conservation – fire management and work in DEC reserves;

• Fire and Emergency Services Authority – fire and emergency services training;

• IBA – development of business planning for ranger groups;

Regional land management projects

Edge of Nowhere (EON) Edible Gardens Project, WA

The Edible Gardens project is establishing three community gardens in schools at Looma, Noonkanbah and Kadjina in the Kimberley in a three-year collaboration with the ILC. The gardens provide fresh produce and meals for Indigenous children in conjunction with nutrition and other education. The EON Foundation manages the project in partnership with the schools, their communities and the Unity of First People of Australia (UFPA) Diabetes Care and Management Program.

Project Description

The EON project works in partnership with Indigenous communities and schools to develop sustainable fruit, vegetable and bush tucker gardens, providing expertise and infrastructure and developing skills. It began in November-December 2009 at Looma Remote Community School, Looma, and Kulkarriya Community School at Noonkanbah and at Wulungarra Community School, Kadjina, in June 2010.

Applicant Group

Name of group: Edge of Nowhere (EON) Foundation

Benefits Achieved

Employment

The gardens at Kulkarriya Community School and Looma Remote Community School are maintained by existing school gardeners and grounds staff. Two gardeners were appointed at Wulungarra Community School; one is a qualified in reticulation and can service all communities in the EON project.

Training

UFPA held nutritional education and cooking classes at Looma, Noonkanbah and Kadjina for 272 primary school children, while EON staff taught up to thirteen lessons per school in horticulture.

Three Indigenous people at Noonkanbah are enrolled in the Certificate ll Horticulture. Training in garden projects will be available to senior school students under EON’s guidance.

EON delivered a teacher induction on the garden for curriculum-based classroom activities.

Senior students studying IT will be involved in developing web pages about the project.

Cultural and Social Benefits

Bush tucker gardens were established at Kadjina and Noonkanbah with the assistance of Looma Women’s Language Group. The women have become an integral part of the garden, teaching children about bush medicine and bush tucker seed collection. Community members have been actively involved in setting up the gardens at all sites.

Other benefits

• Produce from the gardens is used in school lunches and morning teas for the children, and in the cooking component of the nutrition program;

• Community members are keen to have vegetable gardens at home;

• At both Looma and Noonkanbah, the gardens have become a dependable source of fresh produce for the home-maker centres, school canteen and food and nutrition classes.

ILC Land Management Assistance

• $300,000 over three years for construction and teaching materials, a horticultural consultant, and travel expenses.

Assistance of Other Agencies

• EON Foundation: $300,000 to establish the gardens;

• Department of Health, WA: $500,000 over three years;

• Royalties for Regions: $132,000 over three years; Lotterywest: funding for second 4WD vehicle;

• In-kind support is provided by;

• UFPA: Diabetes Care and Management Program; and

• Kimberley TAFE.

Regional land management projects

Indigenous Pastoral Program (IPP), NT

The IPP is assisting Indigenous landholders in the NT to develop viable pastoral enterprises by developing business and property management plans, providing training to employment, funding infrastructure development and negotiating grazing licences. This has increased the area of Indigenous-owned land under cattle production, the number of cattle on Indigenous-held land and Indigenous participation in the pastoral industry. The program has enabled social benefits to Indigenous traditional landholders through engagement in the industry, improved access to country and better management of land.

Project Description

The IPP is a strategic project that has delivered economic benefits to 36 Indigenous-owned properties since 2003. A support package approved by the ILC Board in December 2008 has funded extension staff in the CLC, NLC, and Department of Resources NT (DoR). It has funded business plans and property management plans, negotiated grazing licences, and funded items essential to enterprise development including infrastructure, plant, equipment and stock.

Applicant Group

The IPP is a collaborative project in conjuction with the NLC, CLC and DoR, DEEWR, the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) and the ILC.

Program Outputs

Since 2003, the IPP has increased Indigenous participation in the pastoral industry by:

• An additional 90,000 cattle on Indigenous held land;

• Incorporating 24,000 km² of land, sustainably managed in pastoral production;

• 25 grazing licenses on Indigenous held land covering 34,000 km²;

• In excess of $8m in infrastructure improvement and development;

• More than $7m in grazing licence fees to Indigenous corporations;

• 64 new jobs;

• 13 natural resource management audits on Indigenous-held pastoral enterprises;

• 8 business plans; and

• 14 property management plans.

In 2010–11 the IPP program outcomes were:

• An increase of 4000 cattle on Indigenous-held land;

• An increase of 4,000 km² of Indigenous-held land sustainably managed as pastoral enterprises;

• Infrastructure development on 7 properties;

• 7 property management plans developed;

• Pastoral extension services to 7 properties; and,

• Infrastructure development on 7 properties providing short-term casual employment for 16 and training for 19 Indigenous people.

Key Activities 2010–11

• During 2010–2011, the ILC expended $344,000 of the $1.71m infrastructure development program at Amanbidji, Atula, Balbirini, Bauhinia Downs, Haasts Bluff, Loves Creek, Mungarlawurru, Mungkarta, Wagiman, Ti Tree, Twin Hill, and Willowra and Wublawun;

• Amanbidji – Completion of a 15,000 m³ dam and installation of a solar pump, securing water supply for up to 1,000 head of cattle;

• Atula – 250 km of roads graded to improve access and fire management;

• Mungarlawurru – installation of bore and solar pump to contribute to increased carrying capacity;

• Mungkarta – Repairs to fence lines enabling better management of the herd;

• Twin Hill – Purchase of tractor and grader facilitating improved access and fire prevention;

• Wagiman – Drilling a bore and installation of a water tank to increase carrying capacity; and

• The ILC has continued to provide funding to engage Pastoral Extension Officers in the NLC, CLC and DoR to enable the negotiation and monitoring of grazing licences and delivery of agricultural extension advice.

Benefits Achieved

Employment

Infrastructure development on Amanbidji, Atula, Haasts Bluff, Mungarlawurru, Mungkarta, Twin Hill, and Wagiman provided employment for 7 FaHCSIA-funded positions and 16 casual workers during 2010–2011.

Training

Indigenous workers undertook accredited training in installing, maintaining and repairing fence lines, fabrication and repairing metal structures, operating and maintaining machinery, maintaining and monitoring water supplies, and handling livestock.

An Indigenous cattlemen’s workshop was held in July 2010 and attended by 10 Indigenous workers involved in the IPP.

Cultural and Social Benefits

The IPP has:

• Provided increased access to traditional country for Indigenous landholders allowing for hunting and cultural activities;

• Re-invigorated communities via participation in Indigenous pastoral enterprises;

• Contributed to long-term employment;

• Negotiated commercial grazing licences leading to higher income levels for Indigenous landholders; and

• Provided access to training, enabling Indigenous landholders to engage in business and pastoral education.

ILC Land Management Assistance

Since the commencement of the program in 2003, the ILC has committed funds of over $9.5m.

Between July 2010 and June 2011 the ILC contributed:

• $821,000 for extension staff in CLC, NLC and DoR offices; and

• $344,000 for infrastructure development, plant, equipment, bulls and property management planning.

Assistance of Other Agencies

• The land councils have provided in-kind support for anthropologists, legal staff, vehicle maintenance and office facilities;

• The NT Government, through DoR, has shared the costs for staff and provided vehicles;

• Landholders have contributed their own capital derived from lease payments and cattle sales to invest in plant, equipment and breeding stock;

• The NT Government, through the Department of Employment and Training, and Charles Darwin University for accredited training; and

• The NTCA has maintained its support to the IPP through provision of a direct industry links to landholders and the other partner agencies.

Regional land management projects

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE), Redfern, NSW

The NCIE in Redfern was established in February 2010 to promote Indigenous excellence and success nationally. The NCIE was constructed by the ILC and now works with young Indigenous Australians from across the country, under the direction of NCIE Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ILC, to provide life-changing programs in the pathways of arts and culture, learning and innovation, health and wellness and sport and recreation. The NCIE works to create brighter futures for young Indigenous Australians by cultivating talent and creating opportunities.