Renewing country: Aboriginal people and their lands in rangeland environments

Abstract

After long campaigns demanding recognition of traditional land rights, Aboriginal people have regained control over some properties, but in circumstances that are greatly changed from pre-invasion conditions. Much of this newly acquired land is in rangeland areas, where the environmental degradation arising from pastoralism has lowered land values, thereby making land available for Aboriginal acquisition but at the same time making it less commercially viable without major capital investment, with the attendant possibility of further damage. In this context there can be no simple return to 'tradition', nor are there easy blueprints to follow to redevelop a viable approach to land management. Aborigines are faced with the question of choosing practical management decisions that will meet their cultural and ecological, as well as economic, needs. They are seeking also to take an active role in the broader management of the rangelands for which they feel responsibilities, beyond the fencelines of any one property. They are finding, however, that environmental decision-making is still embedded in the long colonial history of rural conflict over land and resources.

While there are some approaches in common with non-Aboriginal neighbours and despite severe pressures and constraints, Aboriginal land managers are developing a distinctive pattern of decision-making which privileges social and cultural uses, together with an interest in implementing practical conservation measures for a wide variety of native biota. But the expression of Aboriginal interests in environmental decision-making continues to be obstructed. The long history of rural racial conflict over land and resources has left a legacy of severe structural disadvantage and of persistent, hostile alliances which act to marginalise Aboriginal voices despite the appearance of increasing inclusivity. The paper argues that these obstructions to an active Aboriginal role in environmental decision-making need to be recognised and addressed if Aboriginal interests and knowledge are to contribute justly and effectively to rangeland sustainability.