Memorandum of Understanding supports Indigenous and conservation goals for the Great Western Woodlands

The Wilderness Society Inc
Joint Media Release - The Wilderness Society Inc and Goldfields Land and Sea Council
9 March 2010

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 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 MOU agreeing 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 MOU through two years of dialogue, building up key points of agreement and working directly with Traditional Owners through field trips and discussions.

“The MOU 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 the MOU 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.