Several Aboriginal pastoral properties are gearing up for a brighter future based upon strong strategic planning coupled with good old-fashioned hard work.

Elsey Station has moved to increase its productivity by recently advertising for business partners to lease two sections of the property. The two leases should run approximately 3,000 head of cattle each, and will create additional revenue for the station that can be put back into infrastructure development.

John Edwards from the ILC, who is coordinating the expressions of interest, said: Interest in the leases has been terrific with 40 applications from across Australia - it just goes to show the willingness of the pastoral industry to do business with Aboriginal people.

The expressions of interest are currently being reviewed and a decision is imminent.

Amanbidji Aboriginal Corporation continues to move forward, with mustering taking place across the property in readiness for a potential business partner and to sort out cattle from neighbouring properties. Two detailed property management plans are being prepared and should form the basis of a future lease arrangement.

The cattle committee at the Minyerri community is in the process of fencing 22 kilometres of the Hodgson River. The fence will protect the river from cattle and form part of a major paddock area. Funding for this project was sourced from the Roper River Landcare Group.

The Wagiman Guwardagun Rangers have been working long hours fencing off a holding paddock for breeding stock that they plan to purchase soon. This will create a starting point from which to expand their cattle enterprise. They have continued working with the mustering contractor across their large area of Land Trust land.

Corporate governance training is also proving a big hit. Several groups are now undertaking training thanks to funding support from the NT Farmbiz Program.

It’s not only Aboriginal people with pastoral land that can benefit from the pastoral industry. The Ngali-Wurru Rangers at Timber Creek have been completing contracts for Consolidated Pastoral Company and Heytesbury Beef.

The rangers have been fencing and building troughs, as well as doing contract weed control, and have proven such terrific workers that some have been given full-time ringing work on Auvergne Station.