Responsibility for the Murray–Darling Basin Aboriginal Entitlements Program has transferred from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).
The NIAA will continue working with Indigenous community stakeholders on the program guidelines for the $40 million program that aims to deliver on-ground water-related outcomes that generate cultural and economic results that respond to the objectives of Aboriginal communities within the Murray–Darling Basin.
The guidelines will acknowledge the Australian Government’s commitment to no further environmental water buybacks.
Many Indigenous organisations have been engaged in the development of the program and will continue to have a major role.
The preference is that this program be delivered by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation and the NIAA will undertake further consultation with Indigenous stakeholders to settle delivery arrangements.
The Australian Government remains committed to the program to help Basin Indigenous communities start to realise the economic and cultural benefits from the ownership and management of water.
For more information on the program visit Improving water access for Indigenous people in the Murray–Darling Basin - DAWE
