MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, February 12, 2010
ATTENTION: Political, Environment and Indigenous Reporters
New agreement supports Indigenous and conservation goals
for the Great Western Woodlands
The Wilderness Society
(TWS) and the Goldfields Land and Sea Council
(GLSC) have signed an important
agreement to work together for the protection of WA’s extraordinary Great Western Woodlands
(GWW). The
partners will develop a co-operative approach
along
with other land users to safeguard the ecology and cultural
values of the region, and to ensure land justice and economic opportunities for the region’s Traditional Owners.
The Great Western Woodlands is of global conservation significance. It contains the largest and healthiest temperate
woodland remaining on Earth, covering almost 16 million hectares in southern Western Australia. A scientific report
–
The Extraordinary Nature of the Great Western Woodlands - has identified the region as a national priority for
landscape-scale conservation.
This immense area is part of the traditional Aboriginal lands of the Goldfields region of Western Australia. Native
title claims cover most of the GWW area.
Mr Brian Wyatt, CEO of the Goldfields Land and Sea Council said, “The region is of social, cultural, spiritual,
historical and ecological importance to
the Traditional Owners represented by the GLSC, including the Ngadju
people, whose claim covers a large area of the GWW. The Traditional Owners of this area are committed to gaining
their native title rights, owning, managing and protecting their cultural and heritage values, while at the same time
securing a sustainable economic future.”
Mr Anthony Esposito, national manager of the Wilderness Society’s Indigenous Conservation Program, said, “This
agreement reflects the Wilderness Society’s commitment to protect Australia’s great natural areas, and in doing so to
work together with Traditional Owners on the management and protection of their country. We can all benefit from
the environmental and employment outcomes arising from managing these intact landscapes, and building a
cooperative and just future for Indigenous and other Australians.”
The GLSC and TWS developed the agreement through two years of dialogue, building up key points of agreement
and working directly with Traditional Owners through field trips and discussions.
“This agreement sets a benchmark for future dealings between Indigenous and environment interests
in WA by
ensuring mutual recognition and support, cooperation and consent, and respect for Indigenous and democratic rights.
These principles are at the heart of this partnership, and protection of the Woodland’s natural and cultural values is
our shared goal,” said Mr Esposito.
In close collaboration with the Traditional Owners, TWS
and GLSC will work on ‘conservation economy’
and
Indigenous employment initiatives,
including biodiversity management,
Indigenous ranger programs, natural and
cultural tourism, and carbon storage and fire management.
“Aboriginal land management and conservation efforts meet the environmental goals of the wider community and
provide real opportunities for Traditional Owners
to create employment and businesses in ways that support the
cultural values and contemporary rights and aspirations of Traditional Owners”, said Mr Wyatt.
Both partners are members of a Stakeholder Advisory Group developing a biodiversity and cultural conservation
strategy for the Woodlands, coordinated by WA’s Department of Environment and Conservation. The Government
made a $3.8m election commitment last year to manage threats to the region.
“We will work together to ensure the principles and goals of our agreement are reflected in this initiative, and in
ongoing conservation strategies for the region. Current priorities include looking at the carbon storage potential of
GWW through managing fire and vegetation, and the creation of new co-managed and Indigenous protected areas”,
said Mr Esposito.
For further information and comment, contact:
The Wilderness Society
Anthony Esposito – National Manager, Indigenous Conservation Program
Mobile: 0418 152 743 – E-mail: anthony.esposito@wilderness.org.au
Goldfields Land and Sea Council
Brian Wyatt – CEO - Mobile: 0405 109 547 – E-mail: brian.wyatt@glc.com.au - or –
Phil Drayson, Coordinator, GLSC Land Unit – Mobile: 0403 974 049 – E-mail:
phil.drayson@glc.com.au
NEWS 
