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• Kimberley Aboriginal groups and ENGO’s working on a shared a vision

KLC Media Statement, December 11, 2009

Key environmental groups will work alongside Kimberley Traditional Owners in a new joint action group whose purpose is to further the aspirations of Aboriginal people and protect the environment.

Kimberley Land Council Deputy Director Nolan Hunter said the joint action group, the outcome of a two-day forum in Broome in November, would help to unite the common goals of Environmental organizations and Kimberley Aboriginal groups.

“The Kimberley is a big place, and we recognize that Traditional Owners and environmental groups have a lot in common,” he said.

“By combining our energies the Traditional Owners and the Environmental groups will be an influential voice for the protection of our natural and cultural values.”

Mr Hunter said despite the different mandates of the groups, he believed the amount of overlap would allow the relationship to continue for many years.

“We will not always agree with one another, but in this new group we will learn to disagree without falling out, with respect for one another’s points of view, and still continue to remain strong partners, as we have been for many years.”

WA Director for WWF-Australia Paul Gamblin said some of the conservation groups in the joint action group have been working in close partnership with the Kimberley Land Council and Traditional Owner groups for up to ten years to protect the Kimberley’s globally important cultural landscapes and ecosystems.

“The joint action group is about reinforcing some of those connections and building on them,” he said.

“The meeting in November was the first time that so many conservation groups with interests in the region met with the Kimberley Land Council and Traditional Owners to work out a direction together.

“It was very productive although we still have some way to go in describing our shared goals and direction, but what is clear is that there are a lot of shared interests. 

“There are some areas we will not agree on but we will work to respect each other’s differences.  Overall, the precious nature of the Kimberley and its unique culture demand that we work together wherever possible to protect it.”

Australian Conservation Foundation CEO Don Henry spoke highly of ACF’s existing relationship with the Kimberley Land Council and Kimberley Traditional Owners

“ACF values our relationship with the KLC and Kimberley Traditional Owners and we are committed to our collaborative efforts of the last decade to protect the Fitzroy River, progress options for  ecologically sustainable and culturally appropriate economic development, and to promote National Heritage listing, with Traditional Owner consent, for the Kimberley region,” he said.

“While we acknowledge that the Kimberley faces many challenges – economic, environmental and social – we believe these are best tackled through a strong, robust and supportive collaboration between conservation and Indigenous groups.”

The first meeting of the joint action group will be held early next year and will work together on issues including: the National Heritage Assessment, sea country management, water rights, Indigenous Protected Areas and discussions surrounding the conservation economy.

The group is made up of representatives from the Wilderness Society, Conservation Council of WA, Environs Kimberley, Australian Conservation Foundation, WWF, PEW and the Kimberley Land Council.