Central Land Council
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CLC Press Releases
- 14 Augyust 2008 2008
- Communities have their say on intervention ›› more
- 31 July 2008 2008
- Fairfax news in bad taste ›› more
- 24 July 2008 2008
- election: accountability needed ›› more
- 17 July 2008 2008
- Royal commission needed into NT funding ›› more
- 11 July 2008 2008
- Simpson Desert: the last land rights claim under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act ›› more
- 8 July 2008 2008
- Sacred site damage at Wilora ›› more
- 30 May 2008
- Seal the Mereenie Loop Road Now ›› more
- 27 May 2008
- Angela Pamela Negotiations ›› more
- 9 May 2008
- Angela Pamela and the native title process ›› more
- 18 February 2008
- Coalition should support permit system ›› more
- 15 February 2008
- Politicians threaten to derail fresh start ›› more
- 22 January 2008
- Police ignorance upsets Lajamanu community ›› more
- 26 November 2007
- Optimism for a fresh consensual approach on Aboriginal affairs ›› more
- 21 November 2007
- Concerns over Central Petroleum tactics ›› more
Uluru rent boosts community development
1 September 2005
A new project by The Central Land Council will mean that about $750,000 annually of the rent money from Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park (UKTNP ) will go towards targeted community development projects in Central Australia.
After six months of consultation, traditional landowners of Uluru Kata Tjuta living in Docker River, Areyonga, Mutitjulu and Imanpa, all agreed on an alternative approach to allocating the majority of UKTNP rent monies.
This decision was fully endorsed at a Central Land Council meeting of 90 members representing 75 communities in Central Australia.
"I congratulate each community on these initiatives - they are choosing to invest their own money for a better future and the common good," CLC director David Ross said.
"The CLC is pleased to be able to help traditional landowners try and achieve a better balance between the rights of individual traditional owners and the needs of communities.
"It is a challenging situation and one which Aboriginal people in our region are increasingly attempting to improve," he said.
The money will be spent on projects which have been identified by traditional landowners to improve their daily lives and build a better future for their children.
Mr Ross said this funding would enable communities to enjoy some basic amenities and services which most Australians take for granted, but are not granted to many Indigenous communities.
"Projects to be funded include upgrades to a community's power supply, a workshop, basketball courts, a BMX track, a new store, an art and craft centre upgrade and other projects.
"Significantly the region has come together to agree on two priority projects: a feasibility study into petrol sniffing programs and treatment options for the region, and support for Anangu on dialysis in Alice Springs.
"In addition, some of the proposals present opportunities to attract further funding through Shared Responsibility Agreements with the Commonwealth Government," Mr Ross said.
In addition to $750,000 divided between Imanpa, Areyonga, Docker River and two outstations, Mutitjulu receives about $400,000 a year which is also tied to approved and budgeted community development projects within Mutijulu.
"I particularly congratulate Mutijulu Council on its efforts to ensure that this money is spent more wisely," Mr Ross said.
"It was unfortunate that the community attracted such negative publicity during the recent Coronial Inquiry when they have been working hard over the last months to support changes which will benefit the entire community.
"At the end of the day, let us all not forget that nearly 400,000 people a year visit Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park and traditional landowners are fully entitled to payments of rent.
"The CLC is very proud of this new initiative which will not only bring good social, cultural and economic outcomes, but also builds the capacity of communities to plan for the future" he said.
contact: Jane Hodson 0417877579 0889516217