September 25^th
2009

The head of the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at The Australian National University has congratulated two Indigenous communities from northern Australia on the announcement today and tomorrow of new Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) covering 20,000 sq kms of the Arnhem Land Aboriginal Land Trust that are contiguous with World Heritage Kakadu National Park.

Professor Jon Altman heads the ANU-led project People on Country, Healthy Landscapes and Indigenous Economic Futures, supported by the Sidney Myer Fund. Project partners include Warddeken Land Management Limited and the Djelk Rangers and the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation.

“My colleagues at ANU and I congratulate the Warddeken and Djelk traditional owners on the declaration of two new Indigenous Protected Areas,” Professor Altman said. “This voluntary declaration will make an addition of immense environmental and cultural value to the Australian National Reserve System. Accepting the challenge of managing these IPAs to international conservation standards, the Warddeken and Djelk rangers will enhance global biodiversity.

“These initiatives fly in the face of much rhetoric from Canberra and Darwin about development failure and the need to ‘Close the Gap’ by engagement in mainstream industry or labour migration. The unorthodox ‘third way’ being promoted here challenges such approaches. It is predicated on living on country and utilising Aboriginal labour and knowledge, turns remoteness to locational advantage, and demonstrates that the theory of comparative advantage applies in remote Arnhem Land as elsewhere in the world. By providing livelihood opportunities on country, the enormous challenges of improving Aboriginal well-being and health and education are being practically addressed.

“There are big new challenges ahead for these contiguous IPAs that cover a massive environmental estate. Not only will rangers need to maintain the environmental condition of these IPAs, but climate change and possible salt water intrusion will threaten biodiversity. Global warming will provide opportunity to enhance the carbon abatement contributions of the world-renowned West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (WALFA) project.

“Through their active collaboration with Western scientists and non-Indigenous partners, Warddeken and Djelk traditional owners are mobilising their cultural, social and natural capitals in the national interest and to ensure viable livelihoods for current and future generations. Both IPAs are located in remote regions dotted with small outstation communities distant from mainstream economic opportunity. Innovative partnerships are resulting in the creation of employment and income generating activity in the provision of a suite of environmental services including carbon abatement, feral animal and exotic weed management, coastal patrols and the protection of rock art sites of cultural significance.

“Today’s naysayers might, with time, recognise that what is undertaken here is an innovative model that combines the market, the customary and the state in a risk-minimizing economic diversification strategy. One size does not fit all, but this quiet revolution in western Arnhem Land might provide guidance to others seeking alternate livelihood options elsewhere on the massive Indigenous estate that covers 20 per cent (1.5 million sq kms) of Australia.”

Photo courtesy of Professor Jon Altman. Photo: Djelk Rangers in Central Northern Arnhem Land, Australia.

For interview: Professor Jon Altman 0419 223 757 Media assistance: Simon Couper 0416 249 241