In 2025 Kardu Diminin, the Traditional Owners of the land the township of Wadeye is built on, formally requested to partner with the Office of Township Leasing for a Township Lease.

Breaking new ground to make lasting change within their community, Kardu Diminin ventured to create their own pathway.

Approaching OTL for a Township Lease, the Wadeye Traditional Owners had questions. What must happen before a Township Lease is formally requested? How should a request be made? The Kardu Diminin were determined to create a new future, and in doing so they became potential role models for many communities who are sure to follow in their footsteps.

Kardu Diminin’s journey deciding to request a Township Lease has enriched the OTL consultative process and in many ways, will impact OTL’s approach in partnering with Traditional Owners to support their deciding whether the Township Leasing model is right for them.

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 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.