National Forum

Djakamirri ngoywu gapuwu ga djalkiri wanga - managing Yolngu land and sea
Nanikiya Munungurritj
Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation
Kelvin Leitch
Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation

For hundreds of generations, the management of natural and cultural resources in the Miwatj region (NE Arnhem Land) was entirely the domain of the original inhabitants. In that context, Yolngu (Aboriginal) management regimes evolved to promote long term, sustainable resource use for their economic and social well-being. In the vicinity of the mining township of Nhulunbuy, a contemporary expression of the traditional responsibility of 'caring for country' can be seen in the establishment and operations of Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation.

As a result of mounting concerns about the natural and cultural impacts of what was virtually unmanaged recreational use of Yolngu land in the vicinity of Nhulunbuy, the traditional owners established Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation in 1992.

The primary function of Dhimurru, acting on behalf of the traditional owners of land and sea estates in Northeast Arnhem Land, is to facilitate the protection, conservation and sustainable management of natural and cultural resource values, concentrating on those areas which are subject to recreational use. The Corporation employs traditional owners as Rangers to undertake associated activities and engages in participatory planning with senior community members to develop and implement management strategies.

Dhimurru has sought to evolve a 'two ways' approach to many management issues; a synthesis of indigenous and non-indigenous resource management approaches, with final decision-making resting with the relevant traditional owners.

While much of Dhimurru's management effort is directed toward visitor management in the recreation areas, the Corporation has engaged in numerous collaborative research projects with external agencies such as the Northern Territory University, the NT Parks and Wildlife Commission and the World Wide Fund for Nature (Australia).

A recent development that is likely to have long-term implications for Dhimurru has been the decision of local landowners to proceed with the establishment of an Indigenous Protected Area. The Dhimurru IPA covers an area of approximately 92,000 hectares, with acknowledged biodiversity and cultural values of a high order.

A notable feature of this initiative is that, while the NT Parks and Wildlife Commission has the opportunity to have a collaborative role in management, the Yolngu community has retained final decision-making powers by designating Dhimurru as the formal management agency for the IPA. This arrangement is a significant departure from formal joint management arrangements previously negotiated by the Commonwealth and the NT for the establishment of protected conservation areas on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory.

On the rocky road to reconciliation, the Yolngu community is advancing a significant gesture of goodwill in a climate of complex competing interests. Concern for the sustainable use of the natural environment is not the monopoly of any particular sector of the broader Australian community and in fulfilling their inherent cultural responsibilities for 'caring for country' Yolngu are making a substantial contribution to the national conservation effort.