Joint media release: Celebrating dedication of Martu Indigenous Protected Area

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians

The dedication of the Warla-Warrarn Martu Indigenous Protected Area has today been celebrated, with a ceremony near the remote community of Punmu in the Western Desert in Western Australia.

The ceremony, hosted by Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation, marks the protection of 2.2 million hectares on the native title lands of the Martu people. This is the equivalent to around a third of the size of Tasmania.

The protection of this land adds to Australia's national estate and is a boost for critical habitat of threatened species like the Night Parrot and Greater Bilby.  

Indigenous Protected Areas now make up more than 11 per cent of Australia’s landmass and more than 50 per cent of our national estate and this declaration makes a contribution towards the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to protect 30 per cent of our land and seas by 2030.

Martu are recognised as some of the last First Nations people to make contact with European Australians – and Traditional Owners maintain first-hand experience of traditional life and extensive ecological knowledge of their country.

Indigenous Protected Areas are developed under voluntary agreements between First Nations peoples and the Australian Government to manage and protect areas of land and sea for biodiversity conservation.

The Indigenous Protected Areas Program includes more than 92 million hectares of land and sea across Australia – an area larger than New South Wales – is managed by First Nations people to improve biodiversity conservation.

Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu (Western Desert Lands) Aboriginal Corporation is a Martu Corporation and trustee for Martu native title rights.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek MP:

“Today, we’ve added a further 2.2 million hectares of land to our national estate, helping protect our natural landscapes and native plants and animals for our kids and grandkids.

“Protecting and actively managing this area, through right-way fire management, threatened species conservation and weed and pest animal control, plays an essential role in protecting the many species, like the Greater Bilby, that call it home.

“First Nations people have been successfully looking after land for 65,000 years.

“That’s why Labor has committed to establish ten new Indigenous Protected Areas and double the number of Indigenous Rangers by 2030.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney MP:

“I am extremely proud of the Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation and Martu people in dedicating this Indigenous Protected Area, to protect the Percival Lakes and Lake Waukarlycarly systems and their surrounding lands.

“The Martu have a strong tradition and culture in protecting the lakes systems and through their deep traditional knowledge of their ngurra. 

“The program will link this deep traditional knowledge and understanding to achieve the protection of Australia’s unique biodiversity and culture for the benefit of all Australians and future generations to come.  

“The IPA program supports the Martu people to realise their vision of managing their own traditional lands, harnessing opportunities for local Martu people to work on Country.”