Articles

A township lease is an innovative form of land tenure that allows traditional owners to maximise the economic potential of their land without compromising the land’s ownership, which remains Aboriginal owned. A township lease is long term and is a voluntary agreement. Traditional owners advise the executive director on land management and development matters through the consultative forum, which is central to the township lease.

Township leasing is a voluntary agreement between traditional owners and the Australian Government.

A township lease does not change the ownership of the land it always has and always will remain Aboriginal land.

Traditional owners remain stewards of their land. The executive director walks beside them in support of their cultural and economic roles.

The office of township leasing works to assist the executive director in managing township leases. For both the executive director and the office of township leasing, our role is to listen to the ambitions of traditional owners and help them realise their vision. We share knowledge, engage meaningfully and always work with cultural integrity.

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.