The Tjuntjuntjara Community is set to benefit from a Bill that would allow it to seek government grants for vital health and infrastructure projects.

The Reserves (Tjuntjuntjara Community) Bill 2018, which seeks to excise an area of about 78,578ha from the Great Victoria Desert Nature Reserve to enable the granting of registrable tenure for the community, was introduced in the Legislative Assembly in June.

The reserve comprises a total of 2,495,777ha that were set aside in 1970 for the purpose of “conservation of flora and fauna”.

It is formally vested in the Conservation and Parks Commission and managed, in practice, by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

The Tjuntjuntjara community has existed on the western extent of the nature reserve since at least 1988 but has never had a registrable interest over the area it occupies, or legal access to it.

The lack of formal tenure has limited the community’s ability to seek investment for critically required infrastructure such as an expansion of its health clinic and the building of houses, while also restricting the community’s pursuit of on-ground economic activities.

In presenting the Bill to Parliament, State Lands Minister Rita Saffioti said she intended to use the powers provided by the Land Administration Act 1997 to issue a head lease in perpetuity over the lands occupied by the Tjuntjuntjara community.

“A determination of the Federal Court of Australia in November, 2000 recognised the Spinifex people’s non-exclusive native title rights over part of the area of the nature reserve, including that area occupied by the Tjuntjuntjara community,” she said.

“The State Solicitor’s Office has drafted an indigenous land use agreement in consultation with relevant parties and it is intended that this document be executed as soon as possible.”

Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Moray Ralph said the Bill was a huge win for the community and a cause for celebration.

“The process for this has been going on for about eight years and to finally have this Bill go through Parliament is a big step,” he said.

“This will make a difference to the community in terms of being able to gain access to essential services and make it easier for us to receive government funding for projects.”

The Bill would also make the Tjuntjuntjara community land crown land, meaning it would become open for mining.

The Bill’s second reading took place on June 27 and debate was adjourned to a later date.