News & Publications
Project Sea Dragon setback ‘disappointing’ but native title holders will still benefit
Apr 5, 2022
The recent announcement by Seafarms that plans for the world's largest prawn farm on Legune Station in the NT have been delayed is disappointing, but not the end of the road for native title holders, according to NLC CEO Joe Martin-Jard.
Aboriginal lawyer Shekira Cardona’s admission to practice brings passion for change to the NLC
Mar 29, 2022
The Northern Land Council welcomes the admission of Shekira Cardona to the roll of legal practitioners of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.
Traditional Owners celebrate the handback of Urapunga township and Old Elsey Homestead site
Mar 25, 2022
On behalf of the Traditional Owners, the Northern Land Council welcomes the resolution of two land claims in the Roper River region of the Northern Territory.
‘45 years of unfinished business’ resolved with handback of land at Kakadu
Mar 25, 2022
Traditional Owners of the land in the Kakadu region celebrated the return of their ancestral lands to their control following the delivery of the Deeds of Title to large tracts of the Kakadu National Park by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP.
NLC Biosecurity Zones end at midnight, 3 March 2022
Mar 3, 2022
The Northern Land Council notes the decision by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments not to extend the Biosecurity Zones across the NLC area.
History made with Aboriginal Sea Company incorporation
Feb 25, 2022
On Friday 18 February 2022, the Aboriginal Sea Company (ASC) was incorporated, marking a major milestone in the historic Blue Mud Bay settlement.
“Boh boh comrade!” NLC pays tribute to a loyal servant of the NT, The Hon Warren Snowdon MP, Member for Lingiari
Feb 17, 2022
Following his valedictory speech in Canberra yesterday the Northern Land Council takes this opportunity to thank the member for Lingiari, the Honourable Warren Snowdon MP, for his loyal service to the Northern Territory, and Aboriginal Territorians in particular, for over 30 years representing our interests in Canberra.
Biosecurity Zones extended across the NLC area
Feb 17, 2022
The NLC welcomes the advice from the Commonwealth Health Department that the Biosecurity Zones established across the NLC area will be extended for a further two weeks to 3 March 2022.
Northern Land Council congratulates Indigenous carbon industry collaboration and leadership by Top End innovators
Feb 15, 2022
The NLC congratulates everyone involved in the Savanna Fire Forum that commenced in Darwin today that will be followed by the inaugural National Indigenous Carbon Forum tomorrow.
‘A great day!’ – NLC welcomes the historic appointment of Ms Jody Broun as NIAA CEO
Feb 15, 2022
The Northern Land Council welcomes Ms Jody Broun’s appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
Biosecurity Zones COVID-19 Exemption Form
Feb 3, 2022
From 3 February 2022 a person wishing to travel to or from an Aboriginal land/community area which is both within the designated area specified in the determination and in the NLC region will need to have an Exemption Form.
Biosecurity Zones are needed to slow the spread of COVID
Feb 3, 2022
The NLC welcomes the decision by the Commonwealth government, with the support of the NT government, to establish a series of Biosecurity Zones across the NLC area.
Northern Land Council congratulates Alan Young Najukpayi, OAM
Jan 26, 2022
The NLC congratulates Mr Young Najukpayi from Yarralin following the news that he has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
Northern Land Council: we need water management systems for this century, not the last one
Jan 21, 2022
The NLC calls on the NT government to bring its water management system into the 21st century and in line with its commitments to Aboriginal Territorians.
Submission on the NT Government’s Strategic Water Plan Directions Paper
Jan 21, 2022
The NLC has made a submission to the NT Government on the Strategic Water Plan Directions Paper, calling for Aboriginal people to be taken seriously in water management arrangements across the NT. Feedback from the community and stakeholders on the Directions Paper will be used by the Government to develop the Strategic Water Plan which will set the agenda for water management through to 2050.
An update on NLC meetings and offices
Jan 18, 2022
The NLC's Accountable Authority* has issued a Direction to NLC staff that all meetings scheduled by the NLC will be postponed until further notice.
Read the latest Land Rights News - Northern Edition
Jan 3, 2022
Australia's oldest Aboriginal newspaper, telling stories from remote Aboriginal lands across the Northern Territory.
The NLC welcomes the appointment of Joe Martin-Jard as CEO
Dec 22, 2021
The Chair of the NLC, Mr Samuel Bush-Blanasi, today announced the appointment Mr Joe Martin-Jard as Chief Executive Officer.
Frontier Software Employee Data Breach
Dec 17, 2021
On the 14th December 2021 the Northern Land Council received advice from our payroll provider, Frontier Software that NLC Employee data had been stolen.
‘We’ve got to save our kids from Covid’ - a message from NLC Chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi
Dec 14, 2021
There is nothing more important to Aboriginal Territorians than family.
Northern Land Council welcomes appointment of new NT Acting Treaty Commissioner
Dec 9, 2021
The Northern Land Council welcomes the appointment of Tony McAvoy SC to the role of Acting Treaty Commissioner in the Northern Territory.
Aboriginal Intertidal Waters Access Map updated following consultations with Traditional Owners
Dec 3, 2021
Recreational fishers will have access to more areas of Aboriginal sea country in the Northern Territory following extensive consultations between the Northern Land Council and Traditional Owners.
The Northern Land Council welcomes historic reforms to the Land Rights Act
Dec 1, 2021
The Northern Land Council today welcomes the passage of a historic set of reforms to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976.
Vale Mr David Dalaithngu - ‘an ambassador of Indigenous culture’
Nov 30, 2021
It is with deep sadness that the Northern Land Council acknowledges the passing of Mr David Dalaithngu.
NLC Annual Report 2020-21
Nov 22, 2021
The Northern Land Council Annual Report 2020-21 provides a comprehensive account of the Council's performance from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
Stay put: stop putting us at risk by moving around
Nov 19, 2021
With the COVID-19 outbreak in the Northern Territory still growing, the Northern Land Council is calling on all people in the Territory to not enter or leave Aboriginal communities unless it is absolutely necessary.
Don’t make decisions about us without us
Nov 11, 2021
The Northern Land Council supports the call by the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the Northern Territory (AMSANT) that a safe reopening of the Northern Territory must be based on a number of key principles and actions.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for NLC permits from 12 November 2021
Nov 10, 2021
In accordance with the NT Chief Health Officer’s Direction No 55 of 13 October 2021, from 12 November 2021 the NLC will require its staff, and all workers on Aboriginal land, to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Statement concerning allegations of COVID-19 vaccination payments
Nov 8, 2021
Below is a statement from the NLC concerning allegations made over the weekend that the NLC had made payments for people getting COVID-19 vaccinations. Those statements were false and had no basis in fact.
NLC to Chief Minister Gunner: “Don’t throw Aboriginal Territorians under the National Plan bus”
Oct 13, 2021
The Northern Land Council – and other NT land councils and Aboriginal health peak bodies like AMSANT and NACCHO – has worked closely with the NT and Federal governments to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our most vulnerable populations, particularly Aboriginal Territorians living in remote communities and homelands.