Bidyadanga remote Aboriginal community land activation project

Bidyadanga remote Aboriginal community land activation project
Tuesday 15 December 2020

Pilot project launched to drive economic development in remote Aboriginal communities.

The State Government has today launched an innovative economic development pilot project to reform land tenure in remote communities to improve economic, health and social outcomes for Aboriginal people.

The Land Activation Project is a place-based pilot project incorporating land tenure reform to set the stage for improved economic development outcomes, community governance, upgrade of essential services and to provide additional housing.

Bidyadanga, Western Australia's largest remote community, has been selected as the pilot site and the State Government has committed $7.3 million towards the project.

The State Government will work with representatives for the native title holders, the Karajarri Traditional Lands Association and the Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange Incorporated and community members to remove land tenure barriers.

This will enable future economic activation, business development and regularisation of services.

The pilot project highlights the State's commitment to supporting remote communities and will provide an opportunity to re-engage the Commonwealth on future investment in remote Aboriginal communities after a period of progressive withdrawal of federal resources.

Land tenure change is considered a fundamental first step to ensure remote communities are sustainable and able to thrive economically by attracting new forms of investment, creating opportunities for home ownership and improving services.  

The pilot project is in addition to the almost $17 million committed to seal internal community roads and upgrade essential water and services infrastructure, directly improving the environmental health standards for residents.

Read the media statement

Page last reviewed 3 February 2021
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