Indigenous rangers will protect area

As part of a landmark native title agreement with Woodside and the WA Government, the Goolarabooloo Jabirr Jabbir claimant group has started planning for a ranger group to oversee the area.

Funding and support for indigenous rangers was just one of many initiatives involved in the benefits package, worth more than $1 billion during the life of the proposed gas hub development at James Price Point.

Traditional owners told the Broome Advertiser last week this was a very positive step towards looking after the 2322sqkm of land and sea of the native title area. Jabirr Jabirr traditional owner Rita Augustine said planning had already started on the roles a ranger group might play.

“Our country, as Jabirr Jabirr people, means so much to us, that we would like to look after it, not just for us today but also for the next generations to come,” she said.

Kimberley Land Council field officer Merv Maher said a ranger group would have significant responsibilities, such as ensuring the country, its cultural sites, flora and fauna were also looked after.

“With an increase of population, visitors to the peninsula, and with the development of the precinct, we have the responsibility to look after country and make sure neighbours are not impacted more than what is necessary,” he said.

Mr Maher said there was potential for traditional owners already employed as cultural monitors, who are currently working on-site to supervise Woodside’s survey operations, to become rangers.