More home ownership opportunities for Indigenous communities

Published Thursday, 20 February, 2014 at 10:50 AM

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Andrew Cripps

Indigenous communities will now have greater opportunities for home ownership in Queensland with new laws coming into effect today.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Holding Act 2013 would resolve glitches in the now repealed Land Holding Act 1985, which prevented one third of applications from being finalised.

“The Newman Government is delivering on its election commitment to remove the barriers that prevent sustainable home ownership opportunities for Indigenous communities,” Mr Cripps said.

“While the 1985 Act was the first step in delivering homeownership in Indigenous communities, it contained inadequacies which hindered the delivery of important social housing, the transfer of land and home ownership in Indigenous communities.

“Since the previous Act commenced, there have been just 238 granted leases out of 625 known applications, with 208 applications approved but never finalised.

“The new Act protects and continues previously granted leases and lease entitlements and provides the necessary tools to resolve outstanding issues, including clarifying residential and infrastructure boundaries.

“By finalising the outstanding lease entitlements, the Newman Government will be able to deliver more Indigenous home ownership and promote social housing and commercial development in Indigenous communities.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Minister Glen Elmes said the Newman Government sees greater flexibility in land transaction and home ownership as important steps towards addressing Indigenous disadvantage.

“The provision of freehold land isn’t a solution in itself, but is part of a wider strategy to address entrenched disadvantage within Indigenous communities and will support job creation and economic growth,” Mr Elmes said.

“The Newman Government is committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders have the same opportunities afforded to all other Queenslanders, and that includes home ownership.

“Resolving the complication and unwieldy tenure arrangements in the Deed of Grant in Trust communities is a significant step, together with education, jobs and economic participation towards overcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage.

“My department has an active program working with Indigenous councils to survey land and establish sub-divisions ready for private home ownership as opportunities arise within communities.”

Hammond Island Councillor Mario Sabatino welcomed the Act which gave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders the stable form of land tenure enjoyed by their fellow Queenslanders.

“Residents now have a form of land tenure of real value honoured by banks and other financial institutions, which will inevitably lead to home ownership  within our Island communities,” Cr Sabatino said.

“I welcome the new Act, which will also boost economic development and employment opportunities in our Indigenous communities.”

Mr Cripps said the process to grant the outstanding lease entitlements would commence soon.

“The Department of Natural Resources and Mines will work with  the  Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander and Multicultural Affairs and the Department of Public Housing and Public Works to resolve outstanding lease entitlements,” he said.

Further information is available on the DNRM website at www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/land/indigenous-land/leasing-indigenous-land/land-holding-act-leases .

[ENDS] 20 February 2014

Media contacts: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516