Central Land Council

About the Central Land Council

• We are a Commonwealth statutory body operating under the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act 1976 and are funded through the Aboriginal Benefits Reserve.
• We are an elected Aboriginal body which represents all Aboriginal people in the southern part of the Northern Territory.
• The CLC area covers 775,963 sq km, of which 381,792 sq km is Aboriginal Land. More than 15 language groups are represented in nine CLC regions based on language and cultural boundaries. Each elects an Executive member.
• Council members elect and delegate powers to an Executive which meets monthly.
• Council meetings are open to all Aboriginal people.
• We are a Native Title Representative Body under the Native Title Act 1993.
• Every three years Aboriginal communities in the CLC region elect their representatives to the Council. The Central Land Council has 90 elected members who meet three times a year to determine policy, review business agreements and give directions to its staff. The council is the supreme policy making body.
• The 90 members representing 75 communities elect a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and an Executive which represents each of the Central Land Council's nine regions. The Council members elect and delegate powers to the Executive, which meets between Council meetings.
• The CLC employs a Director (currently David Ross) to coordinate the day-to-day work of the 120 staff and to ensure the CLC carries out its responsibilities. Field staff, by visiting the isolated communities and finding out what people want, are vital to the CLC.
• The CLC has its head office in Alice Springs and regional offices in Alparra, Tennant Creek, Papunya, Mutijulu, Yuendumu, Atitjere and Kalkaringi.