What is a Township Lease and what does it mean for me and my community?

• 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. 

What is a Township Lease? 

Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (Northern Territory) 1976, Traditional Owners - with help from their Land Council - can negotiate a Township Lease with the Australian Government. 

Township Leases are a voluntary agreement between Traditional Owners and the Australian Government.   

With the help from their land council, Traditional Owners can negotiate the terms of the Lease. Traditional Owners also agree on the boundary of the Township Lease.  

The Township Lease also Includes the buildings, infrastructure and services that are all located on the land of the Township. This can include airstrips, barge landings, schools and clinics as well as land that may be developed in the future. It does not cover the Country outside of the Township Lease including outstations, homelands or land outside the community.  

A Township Lease also provides security of tenure for all land users. 

Communities with an Executive Director managed Township Lease: 

• Wurrumiyanga
• Pirlangimpi
• Wurankuwu (Ranku)
• Milikapiti
• Mutitjulu 

Communities with a Community Entity managed Township Lease: 

• Gunyangara
• Groote Island
• Jabiru