- Author North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance Ltd
- Publish date 22 November 2020
- ISBN 978-1-922437-18-1
- Documents
- First Nations led business development
Summary
Land Use Plans (LUPs) translate the broad view of agricultural and other land use potential into the social, cultural and economic realities of specific sites. They are not exhaustive nor definitive compilations of land use potential and interests but rather and expression of complex rights, needs and interests contextualising serious commitment to economic and community independence. Indigenous groups respond well to facilitators who recognise this and to therefore to communications and other tools that resonate with these core motivations.
This Plan has been put together for the Waanyi and Garawa (WG) Traditional Owners (TO). The Plan has been developed through the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) project, building on the ongoing working relationship North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) has with the Waanyi and Garawa people through the Knowledge Brokering, Savanna Fire Management and other land-based activities. The Business on Country (BoC) approach supported by the CRCNA has enabled these and other activities to be framed into one story.
This Land Use and Economic Diversification Plan focuses on business areas identified by WG as the savanna fire and carbon management enterprise; biodiversity management and the broader Payment for Environmental Services (PES), including grader contracting for fire breaks and land access.
The LUP also includes a draft prospectus. The prospectus is an important statement of commitment by project owners/participants to pursue identified development trajectories and a sense of readiness to invite investment from government and the private sector in terms that align with their way of seeing and doing things. At this stage the draft prospectuses are aimed at the local community as critical investors of social and cultural capital, as well as toward potential financial investors.
This LUP and draft prospectus should be read along with the following supporting documents:
Projects
Business on Country: Land use diversification on the Indigenous estate
The Business on Country project developed a new framework for Indigenous-led economic development across northern Australia. Led by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) with support from CRCNA and project partners, the project recognised that while Indigenous people hold rights and interests across a significant proportion of northern Australia, many Traditional Owner groups have lacked access to the information, planning support and investment pathways needed to translate land ownership into long-term economic opportunity. The project examined the condition, opportunities and constraints of the Indigenous estate and worked with Indigenous landowners to identify development options that could strengthen livelihoods while protecting cultural values and responsibilities to Country. It developed the Business on Country Diversification Strategy, a practical framework for Indigenous-led land use planning, enterprise development and investment attraction. The strategy emphasises Traditional Owner leadership, strong governance, cultural mapping, evidence-based decision-making and genuine partnerships with government and industry. Through pilot activities in northern Australia, the project tested approaches to Indigenous land use planning and prospectus development, helping communities assess opportunities across sectors such as tourism, land management, carbon and environmental services, horticulture, pastoralism, bush products and other emerging enterprises. The project also produced foundational resources, including the State of the Indigenous Estate report and the Business on Country Diversification Strategy, which continue to inform Indigenous economic development initiatives and investment planning across northern Australia. The project helped establish a stronger evidence base for Indigenous-led development, demonstrating how economic opportunities can be pursued in ways that support healthy Country, cultural continuity and long-term community wellbeing.