Historic Homeland Local Decision Making Agreement Signed

NT Government

The Territory Labor Government has today signed the Werenbun Homeland Local Decision Making Implementation Plan 2022 – 2027.

The historic Agreement marks the first for an Aboriginal homeland in the Territory.

Werenbun is home to approximately 20 residents, and is located 5 kilometres from the iconic Leilyn (Edith) Falls.

Residents of Werenbun initiated the Local Decision Making Implementation Plan, with the support of the Member for Arnhem Selena Uibo, and the Jawoyn Aboriginal Association Corporation (JAAC).

Within their own Local Decision Making Implementation Plan 2021 – 2023 JAAC committed to supporting the Werenbun Homeland to develop an LDM Agreement, and they will remain a solid partner to see the Agreement through.

There are four key strategies identified for the Werenbun Homeland Implementation Plan 2022 – 2027:

· Economic development through employment, training and education;

· Health and community wellbeing;

· Infrastructure and housing; and

· Culture and heritage.

Local Decision Making is the Territory Labor Government’s ten year plan to return Local Decision Making to Aboriginal communities by empowering Aboriginal people to determine service delivery models that work best for their community and region.

LDM seeks to transition services and programs to community control where appropriate and desired.

Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:

“The residents of Werenbun truly are leaders in the Local Decision Making space.

“Their dedication to improving services and wellbeing for their Homeland have paved the way for today’s historic signing.

“I congratulate the Member for Arnhem, JAAC and Werenbun for working together to make this vision a reality.”

Quotes from Minister for Treaty and Local Decision Making Selena Uibo:

“We are making history today, and this Agreement will provide an example for other homelands about what successful Local Decision Making at a homeland level looks like.

“We are empowering Aboriginal Territorians to embrace their futures, to decide what service delivery looks like for their communities and tell us as Governments what we can do to support their self-determination.

“The opportunities provided through this Agreement will make a profound difference to this community and I’m looking forward to following this historic journey.”

/Public Release. View in full here.