The first meeting of the Noongar Economic Participation Steering Group was held last month, comprising the Chief Executive Officers of the six Noongar Regional Corporations and the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, and representatives from Western Australian (WA) Government agencies.
The role of the Steering Group is to oversee the delivery of the Noongar Economic Participation Framework, which forms an important part of the South West Native Title Settlement (Settlement). The Settlement is the most comprehensive native title agreement in Australian history.
The Framework aims to support economic development and the growth of Noongar businesses across the South West region. It includes deliverables and initial projects for the WA Government to progress, focussed on business capacity building, government tendering support, and the promotion of early engagement between WA Government agencies and Noongar businesses.
The Steering Group will provide a unique forum where the Noongar Corporations and the WA Government can work together to set new agendas and leverage opportunities beyond the original Framework. It is a platform for these parties to come together to deliver Noongar economic aspirations.
South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) Chief Executive Officer, Vanessa Kickett, welcomed the exciting opportunity to work together through the Noongar Economic Participation Steering Group.
“A key focus of the newly established Noongar regional corporations is to empower Noongar people and develop economic, social and community outcomes. The Noongar Economic Participation Steering Group is an exciting opportunity for us to work together and build a solid framework for this important work.” said Vanessa.
“SWALSC, as the Central Services Corporation, will work closely with the six regional corporations to assist in achieving their mission and maximising outcomes of the Settlement. This will contribute to our overall goal to build a robust and unified Noongar Nation.”
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet’s Aboriginal Engagement Directorate continues to work alongside a range of WA Government agencies to support various legislative and policy areas for sustainable outcomes under the Settlement, and build genuine partnerships with the Noongar people.
To learn more about the Settlement, see the South West Native Title Settlement web page.
