WA premier Colin Barnett introduced a Bill into state parliament which recognises Noongar people as the traditional owners of the South West.
Not only does the Bill honour the Noongar people as the traditional owners of the land but as one of the oldest surviving cultures on earth.
Mr Barnett said the Bill recognises Noongar customs and culture and their unique contribution to the economy, heritage and cultural identity of WA.
“I am very proud that we as a parliament and as a community are able to embrace the opportunity that has arisen from the South West Native Title Settlement to seek parliament’s recognition in perpetuity of Noongar culture and history,” he said.
The South West Native Title Settlement covers 200,000 square kilometres of the South West of WA.
It comprises six Indigenous Land Use Agreements and resolves all native title claims in the South West in exchange for about $1.3 billion in land and other benefits.
The native title claims in the South West include Boojarah covering Busselton, Pemberton and Nannup, and the Harris Family covering Yallingup and Margaret River.
Wagyl Kaip will cover Katanning, Gnowangerup and Albany, and Gnaala Karla Boodja will cover Mandurah, Bunbury and Donnybrook.
In other parts of WA Ballardong will cover York, Northam, Hyden and Kondinin, and Yued will cover Jurien, Moora, Lancelin and Gingin and Whadjuk covering Perth.
