Once a township lease is signed a consultative forum is formed. The consultative forum gives advice to the Executive Director about how land should be used in their township. This is central to the matter of township leasing as it ensures that the voices of Traditional Owners are heard.
The consultative forum is made up of Traditional Owners. The Traditional Owners can invite other residents to be members as well. The consultative forum will usually also include a representative of the land council.
This forum discusses many important issues that affect their community’s development. This includes planning, land management, sublease terms and conditions, economic development opportunities and managing sacred sites.
Let's say a developer would like to open a general store over here in your township. The Office of Township Leasing, with the Executive Director will make sure the development proposal is valid and also do a background check to make sure the developer is a fit and proper person.
The consultative forum will then meet and talk about the proposal. The Executive Director will explain the proposal and provide information so that forum members can talk about the development and what it means for the community. With the views of the consultative forum taken into account, a decision will be made by the Executive Director. The Executive Director will then inform the developer of the decision.
So through the consultative forum, Traditional Owners and the community can raise important issues and seek advice about development. Traditional Owners play an essential part in managing and developing the township for all residents.
