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Federal
Corporate Commonwealth Entity
Planning and Land Management

Northern Land Council

Portfolio: Prime Minister and Cabinet

http://www.nlc.org.au

Annual Budget

$120M

2025-26 Budget
Flat vs prior year
Total Revenue

$90M

2024-25 Total Revenue
Staff

500

Headcount (2024-25)
Ideas relevant to this department

8 tagged

Reform proposals on YourGov that name this department as a delivery partner — drawn from citizen voice, government strategy, research, international examples and gap analysis.

STRATEGY SUMMARY

To ensure Aboriginal people in the seven regions of the NLC acquire and manage their traditional lands, seas and waters through strong leadership, advocacy and management. [AR p.5]

VISION

For the rights and responsibilities of every Traditional Owner in the NLC region to be recognised and respected. For Aboriginal people in the seven regions of the NLC to benefit economically, socially and culturally from the secure possession of their lands, seas and waters and intellectual property. [AR p.5]

PURPOSE

To ensure Aboriginal people in the seven regions of the NLC acquire and manage their traditional lands, seas and waters through strong leadership, advocacy and management. [AR p.5]

Strategic priorities

· 3

1

One in five Aboriginal people in the NT experience homelessness, making these reforms particularly harmful. [AR p.14]

2

Tougher bail laws and youth crime policies have led to more people, including youths, being held in remand under poor co

Tougher bail laws and youth crime policies have led to more people, including youths, being held in remand under poor conditions without timely legal processes. These measures have been introduced with no consultation and no respect for Aboriginal leadership or evidence-based approaches. [AR p.14]

3

Social reforms have disproportionately affected Aboriginal people, including punitive measures such as dress codes to ac

Social reforms have disproportionately affected Aboriginal people, including punitive measures such as dress codes to access public transport and increased powers for public safety officers. [AR p.14]

Outcomes

· 2

Outcome 1: Aboriginal Land Rights

The NLC continues to support legal processes with Traditional Owners, with several major projects advancing to agreements that will benefit our Top End constituents. [AR p.16]

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • Legal consultations
  • Negotiations with industry

Outcome 2: Community Projects

The Community Planning and Development (CP&D) Program continues to experience significant growth, with five additional Aboriginal groups joining the program this year, increasing its reach to 33 groups. The ‘Start-up and Support’ initiative has enabled a total of 10 groups to access additional funds for the delivery of community projects. [AR p.17]

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • Funding community projects
  • Governance and capacity building

Values

· 6

Consult

Responsive

Respect

Social justice

Integrity

Empowerment

Performance measures

· 1

CodeMeasureTarget 2025-26Latest resultStatus

CCE01

Carbon capture and storage

Stability or improvement

Target met

Annual Report 2024-25
Achieved

Ideas distilled from this entity's strategy & evidence

· 8

Case Processing

Streamline Land Claim Processes

Introduce a digital claims processing system to reduce delays in land claim finalisation.

Impact: Medium
Effort: High
Medium

2024-25.pdf

Regulation & Policy

Cultural Heritage Site Mapping

Create a comprehensive digital map of all cultural heritage sites to better protect them.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2025-26.pdf

Case Processing

Resource Project Negotiation Framework

Establish a formal negotiation framework for resource projects to ensure community benefits.

Impact: Very High
Effort: High
Large

2024-25.pdf

Procurement & Delivery

Community Benefit Fund

Create a fund to support community projects funded by resource projects.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Medium

2025-26.pdf

Regulation & Policy

Cultural Consultation Protocol

Implement a formal protocol for consulting with Traditional Owners on cultural site management.

Impact: High
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024-25.pdf

Citizen Participation

Online Community Engagement Platform

Develop an online platform for community members to engage with NLC projects.

Impact: Low
Effort: Low
Small

2025-26.pdf

Capability Building

Capacity Building Workshops

Conduct workshops to build the capacity of community leaders in project management.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Small

2024-25.pdf

Strategy & Reform

Adopt International Best Practices

Implement best practices from international indigenous land management systems.

Impact: Very High
Effort: High
Large

global-ideas-input.pdf

Case Processing

Streamline Land Claim Processes

Introduce a digital claims processing system to reduce delays in land claim finalisation.

Impact: Medium
Effort: High
Medium

2024-25.pdf

Regulation & Policy

Cultural Heritage Site Mapping

Create a comprehensive digital map of all cultural heritage sites to better protect them.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2025-26.pdf

Case Processing

Resource Project Negotiation Framework

Establish a formal negotiation framework for resource projects to ensure community benefits.

Impact: Very High
Effort: High
Large

2024-25.pdf

Procurement & Delivery

Community Benefit Fund

Create a fund to support community projects funded by resource projects.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Medium

2025-26.pdf

Regulation & Policy

Cultural Consultation Protocol

Implement a formal protocol for consulting with Traditional Owners on cultural site management.

Impact: High
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024-25.pdf

Citizen Participation

Online Community Engagement Platform

Develop an online platform for community members to engage with NLC projects.

Impact: Low
Effort: Low
Small

2025-26.pdf

Capability Building

Capacity Building Workshops

Conduct workshops to build the capacity of community leaders in project management.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Small

2024-25.pdf

Strategy & Reform

Adopt International Best Practices

Implement best practices from international indigenous land management systems.

Impact: Very High
Effort: High
Large

global-ideas-input.pdf

Legislation administered

· 3

Act

1976

Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976

The NLC administers Aboriginal land rights and assists Aboriginal people in acquiring and managing their traditional lands, waters, and seas.

Act

1993

Native Title Act 1993

The NLC assists Native Title Holders in securing determinations over their lands and waters and represents them in litigation.

Act

1978

Aboriginal Land Act 1978

The NLC assists Aboriginal people in acquiring and managing their traditional lands.

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