Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community La Grange Inc has acquired a 300-hectare freehold property in the Kimberley region that will lead to economic opportunities across its large community.
Supported by a Bank Australia impact loan and an Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation grant, BACLGI – in the biggest remote Aboriginal community in WA – is a First Nations organisation providing municipal and community services for residents, with its council representing the community to government and non-government agencies since 1975.
The Bidyadanga community is home to Karajarri (Traditional Owners), Juwaliny, Mangala, Nyangumarta and Yulparija language groups, with the purchase giving BAC a rare opportunity to acquire freehold property in the remote region and return ownership to a First Nations-run organisation.
The acquired property 'Shamrock Gardens' is an established horticulture enterprise, focused on the production of seedless watermelon, rockmelon, pumpkin, sweet potato, plus maize and provides a long-season production window with favourable growing conditions.
The horticultural operations at Shamrock Gardens will be operated by a joint venture between BACLGI and the previous owner, Angus Galwey, with lease income paid back to BAC.
Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community CEO, Tania Baxter, said owning the property would lead to opportunities for employment and career pathways in addition to economic self-determination, with profits from the horticultural activity and lease payments available to be invested in community development.
''The acquisition of Shamrock Gardens represents an opportunity to provide employment, training and career pathways that can be transferred to variety of industries on a property located near the community," Ms Baxter said.
"In the long-term it will provide economic benefits that will come back to Bidyadanga Community to support our residents.''
Bank Australia is supporting the Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community with a $3m impact loan, in partnership with ILSC and their grant in acquiring the freehold property.
Bank Australia reconciliation strategy manager and First Nations man, Rafe Pfitzner Milika, said the institution wanted to grow culturally-appropriate and accessible impact lending.
"We know supporting Traditional Owner groups to reacquire Country contributes to land and economic justice and self-determination," he said.
''Our impact loan with Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community is a great example of using the business of banking to advance First Nations reconciliation and justice, and we're very pleased to make a meaningful contribution to supporting their important work for the future of the community.
"We look forward to future opportunities to partner with ILSC and supporting First Nations organisations, projects and programs.''
Federal government entity ILSC has provided a $3.450m non-repayable grant to BAC.
ILSC group CEO, Joe Morrison, said they were proud to support BAC acquire Shamrock Gardens.
"The ILSC invests in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to support their self-determination and future. We strive to be partners of change in all we do," he said.
"This property acquisition will provide economic and social benefits to the Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community now and into the future."