Traditional owners in Western Australia are calling on the state government to ‘get real’ and sit down with Aboriginal communities to discuss a proposed land use reform bill.
The state’s Land Administration Act is aimed at freeing up large chunks of crown land – mainly in the state’s interior – to be used for major renewable energy projects.
Traditional owners say while they are mainly supportive of renewable projects, there are concerns the bill will result in a land grab for big companies that will fail to deliver economic opportunities for First Nations communities.
National Native Title Chairman Kado Muir says previous land acts in Western Australia have failed to deliver opportunities for Aboriginal people, and is concerned traditional lands will be further locked up by private interests.
