The Northern Territory Government is in the process of negotiating with the Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation (LAAC) for an Indigenous Land Use Agreement that will unlock land for Alice Springs and jobs and practical benefits for Arrernte people.

The agreement involves a compensation package from the NT Government to LAAC in return for the surrender of five parcels of land in Alice Springs.

The surrender area includes:

  • Part Lot 8101 Town of Alice Springs
  • Part Lot 8212 Town of Alice Springs
  • Lots 7583,7727 and 7741 Town of Alice Springs
  • Part Lots 8869, 8118 and NT Portion 4051 Town of Alice Springs
  • Part Lots 7708, 9387 and 8089 Town of Alice Springs.

The agreement acknowledges that native title has been extinguished over Part Lot 4051 (next to Part Lots 8869, 8118),  and the Territory intends to develop this area.

The package delivers social and economic development opportunities for Native Title groups including:

  • employment and enterprise development.
  • education and training.
  • housing.
  • cooperative land management.
  • recognition of ties to traditional country.

A one page PDF (220.4 KB) and four-page information sheet PDF (2.0 MB) on the package has been developed and was provided to Native Title Holders in July 2020.

The package will encourage LAAC to plan for and make decisions about how best they will manage economic opportunities.

The surrendered land will provide land solutions to help retain existing industry, promote employment as well as attract new business investment and development in Central Australia.

It provides the NT Government with opportunities to open up land for tourism, commercial, industrial and residential development.

If would like more information or to provide your views about this proposal, please contact LAAC:

  • In person at 2 Gap Road, Alice Springs NT 0870; or
  • by writing to LAAC c/o Graeme Smith, LAAC, PO Box 5186 Alice Springs NT 0871; or
  • emailing LAAC at policy@lhereartepe.org.au.