Township Leases are agreements - to operate effectively and achieve the aspirations of Traditional Owners it is essential to foster cooperative and productive working relationships with all stakeholders.

The long-term nature of Township Leasing provides a solid platform for building lasting partnerships. Partnerships with Traditional Owners and between stakeholders must be based on mutual respect, trust, and equity. Recognising the valuable experience and resources each partner brings to the table creates an enabling environment that is greater than the sum of its parts and able to realise the objective of Township Leasing.

Stakeholders must work together with Traditional Owners to overcome the often complex challenges experienced when delivering economic and social development in remote Indigenous communities. Building on the strengths of each partner will establish an environment where organisations work together to facilitate opportunities for engagement, capability and capacity development and project planning and delivery. Traditional Owner organisations should be supported to build partnerships with the financial, commercial, and not-for-profit sectors that can provide expertise and capital to build economies.

Office of Township Leasing staff are specialists in engagement and building partnerships to generate outcomes. We have developed a variety of mechanisms, including the Consultative Forum, which are based on culturally appropriate approaches to building lasting and productive relationships and focussed on bringing together key players to make things happen. The Northern Territory Land Councils continue to play a crucial role in supporting the Township Leasing Model and the overarching environment in which it operates under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act. Key partners in Township Leasing include; 

• Aboriginal Traditional Owners, their organisations, and communities
• Northern Territory Aboriginal Land Councils
• The National Indigenous Australians Agency and portfolio bodies (e.g. Indigenous Business Australia, Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations)
• Northern Territory Government
• Other Commonwealth Government Departments
• Industry including Banks and other key financial organisations