A township lease brings in a simpler land administration system which can benefit the whole community. A township lease provides certainty of tenure through long term subleases. Governments, local organisations and commercial developers can operate in the township knowing they have secure land tenure under their sublease which creates better conditions for business and economic development opportunities.
The secure tenure system is also an incentive for governments to invest in the community, manage government assets (such as schools, clinics, and housing) and improve service delivery.
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What are the benefits of a township lease?
Township leasing is a secure and regular land administration system that allows land to be exchanged or traded.
Traditional owners through the consultative forum will continue to have a say in how their land is used.
Traditional owners may receive funding to invest in economic development through an upfront payment of rent when the lease is signed. This upfront payment needs to be paid back, but when this is done, or when a number of years has passed, the Traditional Owners will start to receive the rent money earned by subleasing the land.
When the township lease is signed the land is surveyed and registered. This means that the land is divided into lots that can be subleased and traded with certainty.
A secure tradable land tenure system and a registered survey of the land gives potential investors security, which encourages businesses to invest in the community and leads to economic growth, business investment, creates jobs, opens up new opportunities for business and home ownership for local people, while ensuring that cultural integrity is maintained.
Because the executive director holds a township lease over the whole community, planning and development laws can be applied and enforced consistently. This means that people who want to develop Aboriginal land within the community must do so responsibly and comply with all the rules.
Economic development opportunities
Township leasing creates an environment for investment and economic development by establishing a secure and regular land administration system.
Under existing township leases, traditional owners have received funding to invest in economic development through an advance payment of rent when a township lease is signed. Traditional owners also receive fair rent in return for the use of their land, which provides a stable and long-term source of revenue that allows them to obtain loans and further invest. Community residents can obtain a loan to buy or build their own home in the township through a long-term home ownership sublease.
Secure, long term, tradeable tenure encourages businesses and government to invest in the township and lending institutions like banks can provide commercial loans to businesses.
Business investment in the township creates jobs for local people and opportunities for business partnerships with traditional owners.
Examples of development opportunities enabled by a township lease include the establishment of traditional owner trusts and business arms, retail outlets, accommodation facilities, and home ownership.
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Subleases and rent
Subleases are usually offered to every occupier of land in the township. Subleases are legally binding agreements between the sublessee and the executive director which specify how the land and any improvements (buildings and other infrastructure) can be used.
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Securing government service delivery
Under a township lease, the executive director grants subleases to governments so they can secure their interest in government infrastructure – this includes police stations, public housing, women’s safe houses, as well as electricity, water and sewage.
This means that governments are more likely to invest in and maintain services in a community, as a sublease guarantees secure tenure over the building asset and makes it clear who is responsible for maintaining it. It is currently the secure tenure policy of both the NT and Commonwealth Governments to secure interests in buildings in township lease communities by subleasing.
Governments pay rent for subleasing most assets, so traditional owners will earn rent when governments sublease buildings and assets on their land.
Commonwealth Asset Leases held by the Executive Director under s19 of the Land Rights Act, Housing Precinct Leases held by the Executive Director under s19 of the Land Rights Act
-24.1307, 134.3733
Asset Types: GEC complex, child care centre Land: Aboriginal Land
Commonwealth Asset Leases held by the Executive Director under s19 of the Land Rights Act, Housing Precinct Leases held by the Executive Director under s19 of the Land Rights Act
-22.9843, 134.9341
Asset Types: GEC complex, child care centre Land: Community Living Area
The office of township leasing acknowledges traditional owners and their continuing connection to their ancestral lands, waters and communities. To all traditional custodians of country throughout Australia we pay our respects to their cultures, country and elders past, present and emerging.
The executive director respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culture. Readers should be aware that this website contains references and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have passed.
