GNANGARA PROPERTY
The Nyoongar Tent Embassy was approached by Tribal Sovereign Peoples of the Gnangara Property with concerns about plans for subdividing and rezoning part of the land. The NTE researched the history and recent developments regarding Gnangara and found the following information which has been passed on to the local people:
In 1886, the following petition was presented the Governor of Western Australia, Sir Frederick Broome, signed by Nyoongar Tribal Sovereigns, Tommy Dower and Johnny Carroll;
“Whereas certain aboriginal / natives living near Perth and Fremantle / are desirous of securing a piece of land, on / which they may erect their huts and plant / gardens, where they and their families may / live. They think that a grant of land / near Waneroo [Wanneroo] would be a suitable locality, / and they respectfully petition your Excellency / to accede to their wishes, and take / such steps as Your Excellency may think / best to put them in possession of some ground for the purpose contemplated”.
In response, on June 23rd 1887, the Governor set apart 2000 acres (809 hectares) of land at Gnangara as “Public Reserve" 1229 for the “use and benefit of Aboriginals”. The land was vested in the Aborigines Protection Board. After the Board’s dissolution in 1901, the Under Secretary for Lands cancelled Reserve 1229 to make the land available for conditional purchase and homestead farms.
In 1975, the late Nyoongar Tribal Sovereign Elder Ken Colbung, secured the transfer of part of this land for the Nyoongar community. The Aboriginal Lands Trust paid $200,000 for 65 hectares of land west of Lake Gnangara, which was leased to the Nyoongah Community Inc. in 1987 for a period of 99 years.
Linc Property Ltd. approached the Aboriginal Lands Trust and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in 2010 with a joint venture partnership proposal for rezoning and development of part of the Gnangara Property. Under consultation with SWALSC, a land holding body named the Noongar Charitable Trust was established as the joint venture partner. The Aboriginal Lands Trust has since agreed to transfer the property to the Noongar Charitable Trust as an outcome of the SWALSC Native Title settlement negotiations. In 2011, the City of Wanneroo recommended approval of the rezoning of the land for light industrial use.
Reserve 1229, which was reaffirmed in 1975 and 1987 by the 99-year lease secured by Ken Colbung, was granted under the rule of Queen Victoria, who with the addition of Section 7 to the Pacific Islanders Protection Act in 1875 recognised the Sovereignty of all Aboriginal Peoples of the Pacific, including Western Australia;
"Saving the Rights of tribes - Nothing herein or in any such Order on Council contained shall extend or be construed to extend to invest Her majesty with any claim or title whatsoever to dominion or sovereignty over any such islands or places as aforesaid, or to derogate from the rights of the tribes or people inhabiting such islands or places, or of chiefs or rulers thereof, to such sovereignty or dominion..."
With this act, Queen Victoria officially acknowledged her government has no claim or title over the Tribal Sovereigns of Western Australia.
From the above information, it appears there needs to be further investigation and negotiations regarding the Gnangara Property.
If others have more information regarding the Gnangara Property, please contact the Nyoongar Tent Embassy
In 1886, the following petition was presented the Governor of Western Australia, Sir Frederick Broome, signed by Nyoongar Tribal Sovereigns, Tommy Dower and Johnny Carroll;
“Whereas certain aboriginal / natives living near Perth and Fremantle / are desirous of securing a piece of land, on / which they may erect their huts and plant / gardens, where they and their families may / live. They think that a grant of land / near Waneroo [Wanneroo] would be a suitable locality, / and they respectfully petition your Excellency / to accede to their wishes, and take / such steps as Your Excellency may think / best to put them in possession of some ground for the purpose contemplated”.
In response, on June 23rd 1887, the Governor set apart 2000 acres (809 hectares) of land at Gnangara as “Public Reserve" 1229 for the “use and benefit of Aboriginals”. The land was vested in the Aborigines Protection Board. After the Board’s dissolution in 1901, the Under Secretary for Lands cancelled Reserve 1229 to make the land available for conditional purchase and homestead farms.
In 1975, the late Nyoongar Tribal Sovereign Elder Ken Colbung, secured the transfer of part of this land for the Nyoongar community. The Aboriginal Lands Trust paid $200,000 for 65 hectares of land west of Lake Gnangara, which was leased to the Nyoongah Community Inc. in 1987 for a period of 99 years.
Linc Property Ltd. approached the Aboriginal Lands Trust and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in 2010 with a joint venture partnership proposal for rezoning and development of part of the Gnangara Property. Under consultation with SWALSC, a land holding body named the Noongar Charitable Trust was established as the joint venture partner. The Aboriginal Lands Trust has since agreed to transfer the property to the Noongar Charitable Trust as an outcome of the SWALSC Native Title settlement negotiations. In 2011, the City of Wanneroo recommended approval of the rezoning of the land for light industrial use.
Reserve 1229, which was reaffirmed in 1975 and 1987 by the 99-year lease secured by Ken Colbung, was granted under the rule of Queen Victoria, who with the addition of Section 7 to the Pacific Islanders Protection Act in 1875 recognised the Sovereignty of all Aboriginal Peoples of the Pacific, including Western Australia;
"Saving the Rights of tribes - Nothing herein or in any such Order on Council contained shall extend or be construed to extend to invest Her majesty with any claim or title whatsoever to dominion or sovereignty over any such islands or places as aforesaid, or to derogate from the rights of the tribes or people inhabiting such islands or places, or of chiefs or rulers thereof, to such sovereignty or dominion..."
With this act, Queen Victoria officially acknowledged her government has no claim or title over the Tribal Sovereigns of Western Australia.
From the above information, it appears there needs to be further investigation and negotiations regarding the Gnangara Property.
If others have more information regarding the Gnangara Property, please contact the Nyoongar Tent Embassy
