Ningaloo ILUA realises Elders’ dream
Posted: August 5th, 2020
Congratulations to Baiyungu and Thalanyji Traditional Owners, who yesterday celebrated the realisation of a long-held dream through the signing of the Ningaloo ILUA with the State Government of Western Australia.
An on-Country signing was held to mark this historic occasion in Coral Bay. Attendees included Traditional Owners, representatives from State Solicitors Office and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Environment Minister Stephen Dawson and YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins.
The ILUA enables creation of a recreation and conservation reserve along the spectacular Ningaloo Coast. The proposed Ningaloo (Nyinggulu) Coastal Reserves covers the former Ningaloo pastoral lease to Red Bluff (currently called “the Ningaloo Coastal Reserve”) and as well as additional areas of land and water to be added into the current Cape Range National Park, the Ningaloo Marine Park, and the creation of easements.
The conservation estate will be jointly vested and managed by a joint management body, comprised of representatives of Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation (NTGAC) and the (DBCA).
The Baiyungu and Thalanyji people celebrated their native title determination in December 2019. YMAC is proud to have supported both the determination and these negotiations, and to witness these next steps in self-determination.
YMAC looks forward to more ILUA’s to be developed in consultation with Traditional Owners through the Government’s Plan for Our Parks initiative, which aims to increase the conservation estate in Western Australia by five million hectares over five years through new jointly managed parks and reserves.
To view the media statement click here.