What It Means to Represent Native Title in the Kimberley

Gambanan Annual General Meeting for the KLC, KALACC, KLRC and Aarnja, 2024

The Kimberley Land Council (KLC) was first recognised as a native title representative body in 1994 and has continued to represent the interests of Traditional Owners since then, securing recognition and protection of rights across more than 90% of the Kimberley.  

There are now 33 PBCs across the Kimberley region, and KLC supports all PBCs who request assistance to perform their important native title duties.

The KLC has also developed some of the strongest heritage protections in Western Australia which ensures that Traditional Owners have a voice in what happens on their country.

KLC’s native title functions have been complimented by the development of over 21 ranger groups across the Kimberley and the important economic opportunities that support Traditional Owners to be on country and look after country, such as carbon farming.

Recognition as a native title representative body under the Native Title Act is for a period of up to 6 years, and KLC’s current period of recognition comes to an end on 30 June 2026. The next period of recognition will start from 1 July 2026.

The process for recognition involves the Minister for Indigenous Australians asking anyone who wants to give feedback or comment on KLC’s performance as a native title representative body to do so.  

The KLC supports processes like this which encourage Traditional Owners to participate in decisions that affect them. If you would like to know more about the native title representative body system or native title generally, please contact the KLC.

Information about how to make a submission to NIAA on the KLC’s application for recognition as a representative body is available at https://www.niaa.gov.au/our-work/environment-and-land/recognition-native-title-representative-bodies