Western Cape aboriginal groups sign historic plan
In a historic move, local Aboriginal futures have been secured through the endorsement of a plan for the Aboriginal owned company structures managing the royalty streams from mining and Queensland State Government contributions under the Western Cape Communities Co-existence Agreement (WCCCA).
Traditional Owners from 11 Clan Groups have together articulated a three year Strategic Plan (2009-2012) outlining the way forward through company structures - the Western Cape Communities Trust and Western Cape Communities Coordinating Committee.
The plan clearly articulates the Traditional Owners’ goals and aspirations and provides avenues for Local, State and Australian Governments and other stakeholders to work with them to ensure their visions become realities.
The WCCCA is one of the largest and most complex Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA) in Australia with signatories between 11 Traditional Owner Groups, four Shire Councils of Aurukun, Napranum, Mapoon and New Mapoon, Comalco (now Rio Tinto Alcan), the Queensland State Government and the Cape York Land Council on behalf of the Native Title Parties.
The resultant Coordinating Committee handles Agreement matters and the Trust Companies receive, invest and disburse royalty monies, including the management, monitoring and implementation of community development projects and funds for the Western Cape region for the present and future.
Western Cape Communities Trust executive officer Georgina Richters said four key objective areas have been defined and agreed on by the Traditional Owners.
The Traditional Owners see the importance and value of owning their futures and to sustain the futures of their descendants in the Western Cape through these Aboriginal owned and managed Trust companies.
“The focus of the strategic plan’s objectives are: preservation of culture, environment and heritage; governance and management; community development (social and economic), and partnerships,” Richters said.
“Part of the moving forward plan is continuing to work with Deloitte and specialist Trust Lawyers Clayton Utz on a complete governance review of the Company ensuring the tax, legal and governance obligations of the Trust are sound,” she said.
This review will be finalised in June 2009.
For a copy of the WCCCA Strategic Plan email: jennifer@brandnew.net.au
| Tweet |
