40th Anniversary of Aboriginal Land Rights

The NSW Government is working to approve more Aboriginal land claims to support social, cultural, and economic benefits for Aboriginal communities

Since the commencement of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 on 10 June 1983, a total of 4,481 land claims have been granted or part granted by Crown Lands and 168,615 hectares of land has been returned to Aboriginal land councils.

In 2022/23, Crown Lands assessed 776 claims with a record 545 granted or part-granted and 9,265 hectares of land granted to 67 different Local Aboriginal Land Councils. Some recently approved land claims have included:

• Two blocks of land covering 209.2 hectares at Miandetta will be returned to Nyngan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
• 88.5 hectares of bushland, formerly part of Kingsgate Mines, bordering the Yarrow River will be returned to Glen Innes Local Aboriginal Land Council
• Three blocks of land with a combined size of 6.47 hectares around Narromine will be returned to Narromine Local Aboriginal Land Council.
• 1,082 square metres of land adjoining Hay Courthouse including an unoccupied three-bedroom former residence returned to Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the celebration of NAIDOC Week this week follows last month’s 40th anniversary of the commencement of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.

“The NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Local Aboriginal Land Councils have a right to lodge land claims under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 which are assessed to statutory criteria to determine if the land is lawfully used or occupied or needed for an essential public purpose,” Mr Harris said.

“If the land is not occupied or needed the claim can be granted, which supports the social, cultural, and economic wellbeing of Aboriginal communities.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said Crown Lands is working closely with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Local Aboriginal Land Councils to deliver tangible outcomes for Aboriginal communities and peoples.

“These land claims have delivered fantastic results to local communities across the state, as land is not just a physical asset but also deeply connected to cultural identity and spiritual beliefs,” Mr Kamper said.