‘Largest ever native title settlement’ begins as first land transferred to Noongar people

The biggest native title settlement in Australian history has commenced in the South West, with the first parcel of up to 320,000 hectares of land transferred to Noongar traditional owners. Land will be transferred over a five-year period to the Noongar Land Estate as part of the South West Native Title Settlement, which was signed earlier this year. Noongar leaders met with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson, pictured left, and Lands Minister Tony Buti at Parliament House last week to finalise the handover of the first parcels of land. As part of the arrangement, six Noongar regional corporations are set to be established to represent the Noongar people as transfers continue. Mr Dawson said the settlement was central to the Noongar people’s connection to history and culture and was pleased to see it finally start. “I am honoured to be part of this significant milestone for the Noongar nation,” he said. “Noongar access to and ownership of land forms a cornerstone of the settlement and Noongar people’s ability to connect with their Boodja (land) is of fundamental importance. “This is supported through the range of measures negotiated by the Noongar people through the settlement.” The settlement involves about 30,000 Noongar people between Jurien to the north, Albany to the south and Ravensthorpe to the east.