Noongar Land Estate Update
Member Access of Cultural Land
Over the last 12 months, the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation (Karri Karrak) team, supported by the expertise of land activation expert Kate Oosterhof of KO&Co., have been going through the South West Boojarah region, lot by lot, informed by the Corporation’s Cultural Land Identification Strategy.
This Strategy, developed in consultation with the Board and Cultural Advice Committee, gives us clear priorities and parameters around Cultural Land identification and future use, ensuring that the Land Estate of Wardandi, Piblemen and Kaneang people will sustain and strengthen their cultural connection and facilitate economic returns to help improve their wellbeing and livelihoods.
This methodical process, a parcel-by-parcel assessment of available Crown Land, may not be quick, but it will ensure no stone is unturned when considering the opportunities available to Karri Karrak members and their future generations.
What is ‘Cultural Land’
Land is culturally valuable when it represents an opportunity to provide social, economic or cultural benefit to Noongar people. We understand that Culture is not just the undertaking of customary activities; there are many ways in which Noongar people celebrate, protect, connect to and promote their Culture. These are defined in the Strategy as the following four pillars.
The NLE for Karri Karrak members
Over the next 12 months, Karri Karrak is turning its focus to the Member Benefit pillar and engaging with our members about their aspirations for land they can access and use.
This may be land which can be used by Karri Karrak members for social, economic and or cultural benefits, such as supporting:
Noongar start ups and small businesses, like seed collection and cultural tourism pursuits;
Member-led recreation and/or connection to Country opportunities like family camps;
On Country cultural burials; and
Elder services.
Our ability to commence this work has been delayed while awaiting important information from the Trustee regarding the structure and terms of possible leases, without which we risk not being able to answer all of the questions we expect members to have about their land.
And while we still might not be able to answer all of the questions you have, we are ready to give our members the opportunity to start registering their interest. This will assist us in identifying the right Cultural Land for our members. It does not guarantee that the land can be part of the NLE, but it is an important step to secure as much desirable land as possible.
Information sessions and expression of interest process
In February and March 2026 Karri Karrak will hold a series of information sessions for members of the Corporation, in person and online.
This will be an opportunity to understand the opportunities available under the Member Benefit pillar and ask questions of Kate, the lands activation expert, as well as the CEO and Chair of the Board.
From there, members will be able to request a one-on-one session with our staff to discuss the types of parcels of land they are interested in.
We recognise that members aspirations for land is a personal and confidential matter and believe this process is the most respectful to facilitate these conversations.
Kate and our in-house GIS (mapping) specialist Renee Malacari are currently working on the development of a user-friendly portal that will allow members to view on a map available land parcels as well as complete a submission form to register their interest in a particular area.
Please click on the link here to put your name down to attend an information session, you can register for more than one.
We look forward to working with you and your family on this part of the Settlement and the NLE in the New Year.
