Natural Heritage - Number 24
The Journal of the Natural Heritage Trust
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia
Department of the Environment and Heritage, Winter 2005
ISSN 1440-7256
PDF file
About this document
Indigenous Australians have been caring for their country for more than 50,000 years. Their harmonious relationship with the land and sea is unique and they own a wealth of knowledge that can maintain the social and ecological sustainability of the landscape.
The natural environment is an integral part of the lifestyle of Indigenous people, who believe they have occupied and managed the land since the “dreamtime.” Laws, stories, songs and art from the “dreamtime” depict the land as the provider of life. Today, traditional owners continue to rely on the natural environment for spiritual, social and economic wellbeing.
This edition of Natural Heritage highlights how Indigenous communities are using cultural values and traditional knowledge to contribute towards natural resource management. Their profound understanding and respect of the land provides an opportunity for traditional knowledge and modern practices to work together. To foster this partnership, the Australian Government has taken a cooperative approach to protecting and managing the environment by working with Indigenous people, their communities, governments, the broader community and all landholders. This includes the employment of 13 Australian Government Indigenous Land management Facilitators, funded by the Natural Heritage Trust, to actively encourage and assist Indigenous people to participate in land management activities across Australia.
Facilitators provide advice on opportunities available through the $3 billion Natural Heritage Trust, such as the Australian Government Envirofund, and the $2.4 billion National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. Facilitators encourage and promote Indigenous representation on Natural Resource Management regional bodies and foster the involvement of Indigenous people in national, regional and local activities to protect our environment and achieve sustainable agriculture. There is now a new “whole-of-government” approach to the administration of Indigenous programs. This replaces the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Commission and the associated service-delivery agency, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Services.
The Australian Government has established Indigenous Coordination Centres (ICCs) in the states, territories and regions, managed through the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination within the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. The ICCs bring under the one roof all government programs and services for Indigenous people.
Shared Responsibility Agreements will be developed at the community or family group level, and will set out individual and community responsibilities as well as the programs and services to be delivered by the Australian Government in the communities serviced by the ICC.
Through these arrangements, the funding for Indigenous people from all sources will be coordinated and Indigenous communities at a local and regional level will guide how it is spent.
The Department of the Environment and Heritage is currently working with the ICCs on the delivery of the Department’s programs – particularly natural resource management — though a shared responsibility approach.
This great country holds traditional importance and spiritual significance to Indigenous people and it is precious to all Australians. The cooperation and participation by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in protecting Australia’s environment and achieving sustainable agriculture is vital to us all for our social, environmental and economic well-being.
Senator Ian Campbell
Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Warren Truss
Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
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