'not Passing Through': Aboriginal Stakeholders in the Rangelands.

Abstract

Comparison of Aboriginal interests in rangelands in western New South Wales with those in north- western Northern Temtory and the Kimberley of Western Australia reveals little difference in their history, aspirations for land acquisition, or plans for multiple use management. Throughout Australia, Aboriginal people who are traditional owners of rangelands continue to live on or near the land they regard as traditionally theirs. This is true of the more closely settled rangelands as well as remote regions. In all the rangeland areas Aboriginal people now wish (and following the Mabo decision may more realistically expect to gain) some form of freehold title to at least some of their land. Aboriginal people whose traditional lands are located in western New South Wales have access to very little of their land but have maintained their connection to it. They have aspirations of obtaining access to and control over portions of it, with plans to manage it under a multiple use regime that would include small-scale sustainable pastoralism and agriculture, while living in dispersed family groups on the land. Aboriginal people's desire to retain access to their traditional land for non-economic reasons (spiritual, social, historical) is paramount. Should the Commonwealth Land Fund legislation be enacted, cultural imperatives as well as economic viability will need to be taken into account in the purchase of land. Planning for future management should incorporate traditional ecological knowledge and should involve Aboriginal traditional owners and their organisations, such as land councils and resource agencies, in local and regional planning.