A multi-million dollar support package is set to expand an Indigenous land management and ecological research program in Australia's far north.
The commitment from the Barossa Aboriginal Future Fund (BAFF) will see the expansion of the Tiwi Islands ranger program, an increase in staff, and infrastructure and equipment upgrades.
Established by Barossa joint venture partners Santos, SK and JERA Australia, BAFF ensures Aboriginal coastal communities in the Northern Territory benefit from Barossa LNG.
The partnership will strengthen the Tiwi Islands rangers program, through administrator Tiwi Resources, to care for Country across both land and sea.
Board chair Alice Munkara said the agreement means a lot to Tiwi Resources.
"It will create more jobs, including new rangers to look after the land, which is very important," Ms Munkara said.
"It means more people can get to the land, and to their country, which means a lot."
The funding will deliver a new Ranger Base at Wurankuwu (West Bathurst Island), along with a new vessel, vehicle and equipment.
It will also fund the employment and training of two new Tiwi rangers, in addition to a Tiwi supervisor and an operations coordinator, as well supporting new staff accommodation at Wurankuwu and two new Tiwi rangers in Wurrumiyanga.
Wurankuwu Traditional Owner Ron Poantumilui said: "As a Director and Chairman of my corporation, I am happy about the new Ranger Station at Ranku, which will create great new jobs and help get people back home."
"Thank you to Santos for supporting us and making this partnership possible."
Santos chief executive and managing director, Kevin Gallagher, said the program is one of several NT initiatives selected after consultation with Aboriginal communities.
"The expansion of the Tiwi Rangers program recognises the vital role Indigenous rangers play in caring for country," Mr Gallagher said.
"During our extensive consultation and engagement, the Tiwi community told us that supporting and funding the existing ranger program would be of great benefit to the Tiwi Islands and its people."
Mr Gallagher said the Barossa LNG joint venture partners are "committed to real and practical action to help close the gap on Aboriginal disadvantage in the Northern Territory".
"The purpose of the BAFF is to contribute positively to NT Aboriginal coastal communities and deliver intergenerational progress for Top End Aboriginal Territorians, building a better future for the next generation."
"The program is funded by federal and territory governments, and the additional funding provided by the BAFF, which is a voluntary fund established by Santos and the Barossa joint venture partners, will make the Tiwi Rangers program even stronger," he said.
BAFF will also partner with Keep Australia Beautiful to deliver waste management and education programs in Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands, and Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation to fund the refurbishment of a new Larrakia Art and Culture Hub in Darwin's central business district.
