News & Publications
Rangers’ joint compliance patrol leads to successful prosecutions
Mar 28, 2024
Four people fishing without Northern Land Council (NLC) permits have received fines, after being caught in a joint exercise by Bulgul and Kakadu Rangers.
Borroloola residents recount horror, as community becomes latest to suffer inadequate emergency response
Mar 26, 2024
The NLC met with Borroloola flood evacuees in Darwin on the weekend and joins with them in urging Federal and Northern Territory governments to address poor emergency communications, evacuation processes, and future preparedness.
Community Planning and Development Monitoring and Evaluation Report 2022-23
Mar 18, 2024
In seven years, the Northern Land Council has enabled Traditional Owners through the CP&D program across the Top End to invest $12.5 million towards community projects.
NLC appoints Interim CEO
Mar 15, 2024
The Northern Land Council has appointed Mrs Jessie Schaecken to the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Arnhem Land water supply improvements a positive step
Mar 15, 2024
The NLC welcomes the Federal and Northern Territory governments’ joint commitment to important water infrastructure upgrades in Maningrida, Numbulwar, Yirrkala, and Gunyangara.
Submission to the Productivity Commission on National Water Reform 2024
Mar 15, 2024
The Northern Land Council provided a submission to the Productivity Commission on National Water Reform 2024. The submission reiterated 23 recommendations made in the NLC’s 2020 submission to the Commission and also highlighted significant components of the 2004 Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative that had either not yet been implemented or were not currently being adhered to in the Northern Territory. The submission concluded with recommendations to underpin and update the National Water Initiative given the substantial rights and interests of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.
NLC announces change of leadership
Mar 14, 2024
The Northern Land Council (NLC) has announced that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joe Martin-Jard, is leaving the role, effective Friday.
NLC meets with Prime Minister to raise crucial issues
Mar 13, 2024
The Full Council of the Northern Land Council (NLC) hosted Federal politicians in Katherine, Northern Territory, yesterday.
NLC elects new Chair
Mar 11, 2024
The Full Council of the Northern Land Council elected Matthew Ryan as its new Chair in Katherine today.
High Court upholds Native Title rights
Feb 8, 2024
The High Court of Australia yesterday delivered a landmark ruling in favour of Yanyuwa and Yanyuwa-Mara native title holders.
Nitjpurru Community Leader Calls Out NT Chief Minister
Feb 1, 2024
Raymond Hector has voiced his dismay at the Northern Territory Chief Minister’s recent statements concerning flood-ravaged Nitjpurru (Pidgeon Hole).
Treaty Reboot Welcomed
Jan 23, 2024
The NLC welcomes the recommencement of the Northern Territory Treaty process.
NLC Annual Report 2022-23
Jan 19, 2024
The NLC Annual Report provides a comprehensive account of the council's performance from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.
Read the latest edition of Land Rights News - Northern Edition
Dec 14, 2023
Australia's oldest Aboriginal newspaper, telling stories from remote Aboriginal lands across the Northern Territory.
Gunlom Falls Traditional Owners in High Court testcase
Dec 11, 2023
Traditional Owners of Gunlom Falls have today travelled to Canberra in the pursuit of justice.
The NLC welcomes the Nature Repair Market Bill and new ‘water trigger’ changes
Dec 6, 2023
The NLC welcomes the successful passing of the Nature Repair Market Bill through the Senate.
NLC Official Statement Passing of NLC Chairman
Nov 13, 2023
Today we mourn the loss of Dr Bush-Blanasi. His mother was a Yolngu woman from the Blue Mud Bay region and he was raised by a Mayili man from Wugularr community (Beswick).
October 2023 Incident Management and Ranger Support - Caring for Country Newsletter
Oct 25, 2023
October 2023 Incident Management and Ranger Support - Caring for Country Newsletter
Land Councils joint statement about the Referendum outcome
Oct 21, 2023
Through the Uluru Statement, Aboriginal people asked to be recognised in the Nation’s founding document and for a formal process to be established to inform government decision making on policy that affects our people and our communities
Northern Australia First Nations Alliance formed to represent First Nations interests in the North
Sep 28, 2023
The formation of the Northern Australia First Nations Alliance (the Alliance) was yesterday ratified at a meeting in Darwin, Northern Territory.
Commercial fishing activity in Buckingham Bay reeled in due to inaction from NT Government
Sep 20, 2023
In March 2023 the Northern Land Council (NLC) received a letter from the Member for Mulka, Yingiya Mark Guyula, relaying significant fisheries management concerns on behalf of families in the Buckingham Bay area of the East Arnhem region.
King Stingray headlines concert to celebrate 50 years of the Northern Land Council
Sep 13, 2023
The Northern Land Council is set to launch celebrations marking 50 years since the inaugural meeting of its first Full Council.
NLC calls for harsher penalties around illegal land clearing
Sep 4, 2023
The findings of the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security into illegal land clearing at Tarwoo Station represent a clear disregard by the Northern Territory Government in punishing criminal activity on land involving Aboriginal interests.
NLC Corporate Plan 2023-24
Aug 31, 2023
The NLC Corporate Plan provides information about the significant activities which the NLC will undertake over the four years, 2023/24 to 2026/27.
Read the latest edition of Land Rights News - Northern Edition
Aug 18, 2023
Australia's oldest Aboriginal newspaper, telling stories from remote Aboriginal lands across the Northern Territory.
NT land councils bring Voice Declaration to the people’s house
Jun 22, 2023
The chairs of the four Northern Territory Aboriginal land councils will visit Parliament House in Canberra tomorrow to deliver the 2023.3 Barunga Declaration urging Australians to support a Voice to Parliament.
2023 Barunga Voice Declaration
Jun 15, 2023
The four Northern Territory Aboriginal land councils signed the Barunga Voice Declaration that addresses all Australians and urges them to support a Voice to Parliament
Federal Court decision welcomed
May 23, 2023
The Northern Land Council welcomes the decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court, paving the way for the Gove Peninsula Yolŋu native title case and associated compensation claim to be heard.
NLC Chair awarded Honorary Doctorate
May 23, 2023
The Northern Land Council congratulates Dr Samuel Bush-Blanasi on the awarding of his well-deserved Honorary Doctor of Letters (honoris causa).
NLC Code of Conduct
May 23, 2023
Our Code of Conduct is a set of expectations and standards that tell us how we must act and conduct our business as employees of the Northern Land Council (NLC) when at work and in public.
Yunupingu honoured as a man of action who spoke truth to power
May 22, 2023
The Northern Land Council today honoured Yunupingu as a fierce fighter for land and sea rights, the Land Council, and for Aboriginal people across Australia.
NLC welcome much needed investment in National Parks
Apr 26, 2023
The Commonwealth Government’s announcement in the 2023-24 Budget of $262.3 million additional funding for Australia’s national parks has been warmly welcomed by the Northern Land Council.
Nation mourns loss of great leader
Apr 3, 2023
Today we mourn the loss of a great leader, statesman, and father. On behalf of past and present Members and staff, the Chair of the Northern Land Council, Dr Samuel Bush-Blanasi, offered his sincere condolences to Mr Yunupingu’s family.
Repairing nature means Caring for Country
Mar 29, 2023
The Chair of the Northern Land Council, Dr Samuel Bush-Blanasi, today welcomed the introduction of legislation into the Commonwealth Parliament to establish a ‘nature repair’ market.
NLC Strategic Plan 2022-27
Feb 21, 2023
The NLC Strategic Plan was adopted by the Full Council at Katherine in December 2022. The Strategic Plan sets out the strategic intent of the Northern Land Council for the period 2022-27.
“Enough is enough” – legal proceedings launched to challenge decision to permit more land clearing at Auvergne Station
Feb 13, 2023
Legal proceedings were commenced on Friday 10 February 2023 in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, challenging a decision made on 25 November 2022 by a delegate of the Pastoral Land Board to grant a permit to clear native vegetation over at least 923 hectares of land at Auvergne Station.
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs ‘Inquiry into community safety, support services and job opportunities in the Northern Territory’
Feb 10, 2023
The terms of reference for this Inquiry include looking into the end of the Stronger Futures legislation and alcohol management in the NT. The NLC submission highlights that government planning and consultation were not adequate prior to the end of Stronger Futures and lifting of alcohol restrictions. The submission emphasises the need for Aboriginal people to be at the centre of the design and implementation of policies that affect them.