The first contributions from the State of Western Australia to the Noongar Boodja Trust under the historic South West Native Title Agreement have been made.
Acknowledging the payments, South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson, Brendan Moore, said it was a significant milestone for the Noongar Nation.
“The payments that have been made by the State to the Noongar Boodja Trust on 22 April 2021 are the first of many benefits that will flow to Noongar people under the settlement,” Mr Moore said.
“The first of twelve annual payments of $50 million have been paid into the Future Fund. This money is managed by the Perpetual Trustee Company and will be protected so that all future Noongar generations will be able to benefit from the settlement,” Mr Moore said.
A further $10 million has been deposited into the Operations Fund—an annual payment also for 12 years.
The money paid into the Operations Fund will be used to fund the operations of the six Noongar regional corporations and the central services corporation that will be established as part of the settlement.
These payments integrate Noongar into the mainstream economy as never before and provide opportunities for economic development and a greater role in decision making about land.
SWALSC is currently holding community information meetings across the South West to progress the establishment of the six regional corporations and the central services corporation.
“I encourage all Noongar people to attend these meetings to find out more about the settlement and the establishment of the regional corporations and central services corporation,” Mr Moore said.
It is anticipated the six Regional Corporations will be established by September 2021.