1. Indigenous Futures on Country in Rural
NSW
Dr Janet Hunt
Fellow, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy
Research, Australian National University

2. Overview
Introduction: Two studies:
1)Indigenous engagement in NRM in NSW
2)Closing the Gap Clearinghouse Engaging Aboriginal
Communities
Three case studies of Aboriginal engagement in NRM: - Guyra and an Indigenous Protected Area
-Nyambaga Green Team – environment contracting
-Eden LALC and a Land & Sea Management Plan
Conclusions from CTG study
So what type of partnership arrangement worked best?
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3. Two research studies
1) For OEH, NSW, to explore the socio-economic
benefits of Aboriginal engagement in NRM in NSW.
No statewide data, so did 3 case studies:
- Guyra and an Indigenous Protected Area
-Nyambaga Green Team – environment contracting
-Eden LALC and a Land & Sea Management Plan
Period 2008-2013 – fieldwork based
2) For CTG Clearinghouse, on evidence about what
works or doesn’t work in relation to engaging
Indigenous communities – including in NRM activities
Late 2012 – 2013 major literature review.
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4. Banbai Business enterprises, Guyra
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Manage 2 Indigenous Protected Areas (NRS)
Wattleridge (purchased by ILC in 1998)
Tarriwa Kurrukun – Guyra Local Aboriginal Land
Council land claimed through ALRA 1983
Employment: Total of 47 Aboriginal people employed
over 10 years (2010) Around 14-25 at any time.
Brought the community together
Stepping stone to other jobs and study beyond IPA
Banbai now: 2nd largest private sector employer in
Guyra
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9. Nature of the partnerships
• Two major sources of funding – long term, secure
(i.e. 3-5 years), Indigenous-specific; other
supplementary $ from other sources (eg CMA)
• Working to plans developed by the Aboriginal community
for management of the IPAs.
• High degree of Aboriginal control over the activities,
limited non-Indigenous support in governance & financial
management; flexible, on-country, training support
(TAFE)
• Strong, respectful personal relationships
• Good leadership and capacity development in Aboriginal
organisation
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10. Eden LALC
L&SC Plan
• Developed in 6
months in 2010
• Launched April
2011
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12. Projects
• A Sustainable Land & Sea Ranger Program
• Working on LALC-owned lands - conservation
• Enterprises with economic and cultural
outcomes
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Development of an aquaculture enterprise
Cultural tourism
Maintenance & transmission of cultural knowledge
Economic and cultural use of State Forests.
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13. Regional Complexity
The main bodies relevant to the Eden LALC region:
• Catchment Management Authorities (Southern Rivers
CMA & Murray River CMA);
• Local Government Shires (Bega Valley, Bombala, Snowy
River and Tumbarumba);
• NSW Office of Environment & Heritage (Southern
Ranges and Far South Coast Regions);
• Forests NSW (Southern Region) and
• Department of Industry & Investment (Fisheries)
(Southern Zone).
• Rural Fire Service
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14. Bundian Way Project
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16. Heritage
survey
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18. Nature of the Partnerships
• Multiple partnerships with no ongoing funding
• Generally short-term project funding (1-3 months;
longest recent funding – 1-2 yrs)
• Leading partner with limited funds (CMA)
• Aboriginal projects only part of agency agendas/ plans
(so limited Aboriginal control over activities)
• Developed good personal relationships
• LALC with limited capacity – ltd. resources from key
partners for organisational capacity development; was
some $ for p/t L&SCP officer. Training hard to access.
• Some non-Indigenous support for Bundian Way subproject
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19. What makes for good Aboriginal
engagement?
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Relationships
Participatory Processes
Governance & leadership
Flexible, secure funding

20. Conclusion
Aboriginal development more likely to be sustained
where:
• Smaller number of long term partnerships
• Working to a clear Aboriginal-driven plan
• Where agreed objectives and indicators and
clear who has responsibility
• Governance /leadership is good & nurtured
throughout
• Funding is simple, flexible & secure for longtimeframes.