Kariyarra land agreement

A historic decision was made last week when the State Government approved an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Kariyarra people in Port Hedland.

In the State Budget announcement, the Government gave approval for the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to spend $6.1 million over the Government’s term to deliver its obligations under the ILUA.

The agreement includes expenditure of $3.8 million in the 2017-18 financial year for compensation liabilities that have accrued to date and $2.3 million to be spent between 2017 and 2021 to deliver operational services, such as land surveys and plan preparations to manage the ILUA operations over the next four years.

Since 2011, the Kariyarra people have been engaged in negotiations with the State Government regarding compensation for the expansion of the Port Hedland port and a residential area in South Hedland, which happened within the Kariyarra’s native title claim.

Kariyarra elder Kerry Robinson said the decision was welcomed by all members of the community.

“It is good for us in the community in Port Hedland and everyone in the wider community,” he said. The Kariyarra people and the State of WA will formally sign the ILUA at the Town of Port Hedland at the end of this month.