The South West Settlement
On the 2nd of December 2011, the Western Australian Government (the State) made an in-principle offer to the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC), on behalf of the Noongar community, to resolve all native title claims in the South West. The offer provides a set of benefits and has been accepted by Noongar representatives as the basis for further negotiations.
The South West Settlement involves the full and final resolution of all South West native title claims in exchange for a settlement package that will yield enduring economic, social and cultural benefits to the Noongar community.
The settlement package will be offered in consideration for:
- all South West native title claimants entering into consent determinations to surrender native title
- the resolution of all overlapping native title claims in the South West region
- agreement that all compensation liabilities arising from the South West native title claims will be discharged.
In the long-term it is envisaged that the agreement will:
- build a stronger Noongar community
- promote greater understanding of Noongar culture and society
- encourage partnerships between the Noongar community and Government, the private sector and non-Government organisations.
Read more about the State’s in-principle offer for the settlement of all South West claims.
Who is the State negotiating with?
The State is negotiating with SWALSC, the representative body endorsed under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) on behalf of the six principle native title claim groups:
- Yued (Jurien, Moora, Lancelin, Gingin)
- Gnaala Karla Boodja (Mandurah, Bunbury, Donnybrook)
- South West Boojarah (Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River, Pemberton, Nannup)
- Wagyl Kaip (Katanning, Gnowangerup, Albany)
- Ballardong (York, Northam, Hyden, Kondinin)
- Whadjuk (Perth Metropolitan area)
Are you a Noongar person, or do you know Noongar people who are not members of the SWALSC and want to be part of the negotiations?
The National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) is assisting the State and SWALSC by facilitating the agreement making process. During the months of March-April 2012, there will be a series of newspaper advertisements that highlight the south west native title claims.
The advertisements invite any Noongar person to make contact with the NNTT if they consider they are eligible to be a member of any of the registered native title claims in the South West but have not previously participated in the claim process. They are also invited to advise the NNTT if the description of ancestors for any of the claims is incomplete.
- Notice to Noongar People - Gnaala Karla Booja
- Notice to Noongar People - Wagyl Kaip and Southern NoongarNotice to Noongar People - Yued
- Notice to Noongar People - Ballardong
- Notice to Noongar People - Whadjuk
- Notice to Noongar People - South West Boojarah and Harris Family
Visit the National Native Title Tribunal's webpage about the South-West where the Notices to Noongar people can be found.
Further Information
Contact us
State Government agencies and officers are encouraged to contact the Native Title Unit. Alternatively, useful information can be found on the websites of: