The Kimberley Celebrates New Indigenous Protected Area across hundreds of islands and sea Country

Mayala Traditional Owners celebrate the signing of the Indigenous Protected Area

Traditional Owners have celebrated the creation of a new Indigenous Protected Area on Mayala Baaliboor (Country) in the west Kimberley.

Over 100 people gathered at Middle Beach at One Arm Point to mark the establishment of the Indigenous Protected Area which will protect hundreds of Kimberley islands and sea Country.

Mayala Country is an extensive network of hundreds of pristine islands, interconnecting sea, reefs, submerged lands, sandbars, seabeds and saltwater, home to culturally protected turtle and dugong, in the Buccaneer Archipelago and King Sound off the west Kimberley coast.

With no recorded feral animals, few weeds and limited wildfire, the more than 300 islands scattered across Mayala Country are important, but fragile refuge areas for native wildlife.

Mammal species that are highly threatened on the Kimberley mainland, such as the Northern Quoll, Nabarlek and Golden-backed Tree-rat, are protected within the offshore islands of Mayala Country. 

The 2024 – 2034 Mayala Country and IPA Management Plan has been developed to protect Mayala’s pristine living cultural landscape.

Mayla Traditional Owner and Project Officer Janella Isaac

Mayala Traditional Owner Janella Isaac said the IPA dedication had been a long-term aspiration for Mayala people.

“It has been a long journey to get here. Our Elders fought hard for us to achieve this dream.

This process, which began over 18 years ago, has given our people access to Country. Mayala people were displaced many years ago, our language has fallen asleep, but now our young people are returning to Country.

Now is a time to celebrate. It is our young people who will implement the Indigenous Protected Area management plan.” 

Sharing stories on a Mayala back to Country trip

Elders signed the dedication after a moving ceremony, where Mayala young leaders presented the Elders with gifts of trochus shell and pearl.

Mayala Elder Mitchell Tigan said he would never forget the moment the Indigenous Protected Area was declared.

“Old people and young people were one. Watching this ceremony happen yesterday I was back at the campfire with my father and my grandfathers. I was wiping tears from my eyes. I will never forget that moment.”

Mayala Elder Mitchell Tigan

Mayala Chairperson Quentin Turner 

Newly elected Mayala Chairperson Quentin Turner, who has been championing the Mayala Young Persons Network, said the dedication was a dream come true.

“Today felt like a dream. Mayala people are ready to move forward. Our next steps will be to get a ranger team up and running and continue the work of our old people.”

Cultural dancers performing Ilma at the IPA Dedication Ceremony

KLC CEO Tyronne Garstone congratulated Mayala Traditional Owners on the IPA, which he said would have far reaching benefits for Traditional Owners, the Kimberley community and all of Australia.

“The IPA dedication marks a huge milestone for the Mayala people and a significant win for all of Australia, with this IPA delivering the missing link for a continuous Indigenous conservation corridor along the west Kimberley coastline,” said Mr Garstone. 

“This Indigenous Protected Area will provide employment, get people back onto country, protect culture and maintain some of the last remaining wild refuges.

“IPAs are a proven way of successfully managing land and sea, while simultaneously aligning with the cultural and environmental values of Aboriginal people in the Kimberley.”  

“The Mayala IPA will ensure that Mayala native title holders are the key decision makers for and managers of their traditional lands – the Country they have looked after for tens of thousands of years.

It is clear that investment into ranger and IPA programs remains critical.”

The implementation of the Mayala IPA will be managed by the Kimberley Land Council and led by the Mayala Healthy Country Advisory Committee who manage all on Country programs by and with partners such as Parks Australia and DBCA.

The KLC and MIAC acknowledge the support provided by the NIAA and DCCEEW in administering the IPA consultation and program.

Key Facts:

In October 2018, the Federal Court of Australia recognised native title for the Mayala people – more than two decades after their native title claim was first lodged.

•   Location: West Kimberley, Western Australia

•   Dedicated: 15 August 2024

•   Terrestrial hectares: 11,971

•   Sea hectares: 363,792

•    Map of Mayala IPA (PDF 10 MB) 

The Mayala IPA covers the whole of Mayala Country within the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Mayala Country is a living cultural landscape comprising islands, reefs, sea, submerged lands, seabeds and saltwater, highly valued for its cultural and biological richness. The IPA closes a gap in the network of protected areas in the Kimberley region, including islands between the Bardi Jawi IPA and Bardi Jawi Gaarra Marine Park. 

Significant values of the IPA include:

·  Terrestrial threatened species including the nabarlek, golden bandicoot and northern quoll. 

·  Protection for Monsoon Vine Thickets which are a threatened ecological community on the Dampier Peninsula. 

·  Habitat and breeding grounds for migratory and threatened ocean species including five species of sea turtle, dugong and sawfish.