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- View page: Noongar Native Grasses Trial – Community Stewardship Grant
Noongar Native Grasses Trial – Community Stewardship Grant
Noongar Native Grasses Trial – Community Stewardship Grant Restoring country with native grasses, cultural knowledge and scientific expertise, this project brings people together to heal Country and strengthen Noongar farming futures. The Noongar Native Grasses Trial, funded through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) Community Stewardship Program, supports First Nations landowners to adopt regenerative agriculture and cultural practices, including cultural burning, to care for Noongar Boodja (country). With more than 95 per cent of Noongar Boodja cleared in the past two centuries, predominantly for broadacre farming, ecosystems and biodiversity have been severely affected. This trial works to repair landscapes through the reintroduction of native grasses, supported by landcare activities and ongoing research. The work is underway at three sites: Yallalie Downs (Beemurra Aboriginal Corporation) near Dandaragan, Avondale Park (Yaraguia Enterprises) near Beverley, and NLE’s Boola Boornap native tree nursery near Northam. At each location, Noongar-led enterprises are partnering with researchers to show how native grass species can improve soils, biodiversity and farming sustainability. By combining the expertise of Curtin University and the Native Seed Technology Innovation Hub with Noongar stewardship, the project blends science and cultural knowledge to create resilient landscapes and lasting connections to Country.
- View page: NIAA Indigenous Ranger Program
NIAA Indigenous Ranger Program
NIAA Indigenous Ranger Program Expanding ranger opportunities in the Ballardong region, this project supports Noongar people to care for boodja, strengthen culture, and create meaningful employment for future generations. With funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), the program’s priorities are guided by consultation with Traditional Owners, Elders and stakeholders, ensuring community knowledge shapes decisions. Indigenous rangers are trained and employed to protect cultural heritage, restore land, collect seed and undertake cultural burning. On-country trips with Elders pass down knowledge of bush foods, bush medicines and traditional land practices. NLE has partnered with the National Trust of Western Australia, the Shires of Northam and Beverley, and NLE member groups to deliver this program. The program has a focus on the employment of Indigenous women, ensuring inclusivity and opportunity. By combining cultural knowledge with practical training, the program builds skills, jobs and leadership pathways while fostering cultural continuity and environmental sustainability across the Ballardong region
- View page: Ngooka Honey
Ngooka Honey
Ngooka Honey Blending Noongar knowledge with beekeeping, this project is producing high quality honey from Noongar native plants for the domestic and international markets. Since 2018, the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) has been developing its Ngooka Honey enterprise, expanding across multiple sites and providing training for NLE members and NLE staff in all aspects of apiculture. NLE’s Ngooka Honey enterprise was greatly assisted by research undertaken by the Cooperative Research Centre for Honey Bee Product. Among other things the research confirmed that NLE’s Ngooka Honey’s antimicrobial and health properties to be equal to, or greater than, manuka honey. This recognition strengthened branding, guides site selection and positions Ngooka Honey to meet growing demand in Asia and beyond. To date sales have largely taken place through Dirty Clean Food, further raising the profile of Indigenous honey. NLE’s Ngooka Honey enterprise is currently in a growth phase. As part of NLE’s Export Readiness Project we are in the process of increasing our number of hives to 200, which will allow us to significantly increase our production levels.
- View page: Native Seeds and Nursery Development Grant
Native Seeds and Nursery Development Grant
Native Seeds and Nursery Development Grant This project strengthened the skills and capacity of rangers, staff and board members at Boola Boornap, supporting the growth of the Noongar Land Enterprise Group’s (NLE) native seed and nursery enterprise and ranger program. Funded through a Native Seeds and Nursery Development Grant under the WA Government’s Aboriginal Governance and Leadership Development Program, the project focused on workforce development to increase Aboriginal participation in the growing market for native seeds and seedlings. The project provided training and development opportunities across a wide range of areas, including seed collection, cultural burning, pest management, traffic management, truck driving and four-wheel driving. Staff also undertook qualifications in mental health and first aid, while board members and staff participated in project management and governance training. The project also enabled NLE representatives to attend national and industry conferences such as EvokeAg in Perth, the First Nations Bushfoods and Botanicals Alliance Conference in Darwin, and the Greenlife Industry Conference in Brisbane, building connections and bringing back valuable knowledge to apply locally. By investing in staff and governance capability, the Native Seeds and Nursery Development Grant ensured NLE has the skills, networks and systems needed to operate efficiently, compete in the native seed and nursery industries, and create lasting opportunities for Noongar people.
- View page: Industry Growth Program
Industry Growth Program
Industry Growth Program The Industry Growth Program is a national initiative designed to help innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) grow and commercialise their projects. The Cluster Connect group, of which the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) is a partner, has been appointed as one of four Industry Partner Organisations (IPO) for the Industry Growth Program. The program provides tailored advice and support through experienced Industry Growth Program Advisers, who work with businesses to test models, overcome challenges and identify pathways for expansion. Advisers bring independent expertise and practical experience, offering recommendations on business model validation, market testing, funding avenues, partnerships and intellectual property. As a Cluster Connect partner organisation, NLE is building stronger foundations to expand its enterprises, explore potential investors and capital-raising opportunities, and develop compelling value propositions for its products. This support strengthens NLE’s capacity to grow in a competitive market while ensuring Aboriginal-led businesses have a role in shaping the future of Australian manufacturing and agri-food industries. For more information on the Industry Growth Program click on the following link: Announcing a new Industry Growth Program | Department of Industry Science and Resources
- View page: FIAL Yoordaninj-bah
FIAL Yoordaninj-bah
Yoordaninj-bah Yoordaninj-bah was a national project that set out to place Aboriginal people at the centre of Australia’s growing bush food industry. Running from 2019 to 2022 and funded by Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL), the project worked with communities, businesses and networks across Australia to explore how sustainable bush food enterprises could deliver cultural, economic, environmental and health benefits. Its work included a national feasibility study on bush food species, research into their nutritional and medicinal value, and the development of cultural and ethical protocols to protect Aboriginal knowledge and ensure Aboriginal Law and Australian law could work together. The project concluded with the launch of the Yoordaninj-bah - Coming Together report in August 2022, which presented nine key recommendations to guide a stronger, more inclusive bush food industry. Among its outcomes was a business case for a Bush Food Incubation Hub at Avondale to support ethical practice, knowledge sharing and innovation. By centering Aboriginal knowledge and aspirations, Yoordaninj-bah laid the foundation for an industry that is both culturally respectful and globally competitive.
- View page: Export Readiness Pilot for First Nations Agriculture
Export Readiness Pilot for First Nations Agriculture
Export Readiness Pilot for First Nations Agriculture Building pathways from country to global markets, this project strengthens Indigenous enterprises by developing the tools and systems needed to export high-quality bush products with confidence. Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Export Readiness Pilot supports the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) to grow its wattle seed and Ngooka honey enterprises while creating a model for other Indigenous producers entering international markets. The Pilot focuses on three proof-of-concept projects: Trialling a digital traceability system for honey exports to the European Union and Singapore. Developing an export market for wattle seed into Singapore. Planning an Indigenous-led facility for extraction, storage, manufacturing and packing to increase ownership across the supply chain. Alongside these trials, the project will develop export strategies, branding, and training to build the capability of NLE’s bushfood enterprise. It will also identify barriers to exporting and provide practical recommendations to support wider adoption of Indigenous products in global markets. Through this work, the Pilot helps create stronger enterprises and opens the door for more Indigenous producers to share their products and stories with the world.
- View page: DBCA Ranger Program
DBCA Ranger Program
DBCA Ranger Program Blending cultural knowledge with conservation and landcare, this program supports Noongar rangers to restore country, strengthen skills, and share knowledge between generations. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Ranger Program has funded the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) to train and employ rangers in activities that care for boodja while creating pathways for future employment and fee for service contracts. Across the life of the project, rangers take part in regenerative agriculture, cultural burning, seed collection, and seedling propagation activities. Knowledge sharing is a central part of the program. Elders join rangers on-country to pass on cultural knowledge of seed collection, bush foods, and bush medicines, ensuring traditional practices remain strong alongside new skills. The program also aims to secure additional commercial contracts, creating long-term opportunities for NLE. Through this combination of cultural guidance, practical training, and environmental restoration, the DBCA Ranger Program strengthens both country and community while building capacity for future generations of Noongar rangers.
- View page: Cluster Connect
Cluster Connect
Cluster Connect Cluster Connect is an alliance between five like minded organisations that all support food and agribusiness. By creating this alliance the organisations can support each other and partner together to deliver projects and programs on a national basis. The five organisations making up Cluster Connect are Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) in Queensland, Central Coast Industry Connect in New South Wales, Food and Fibre Gippsland in Victoria, Fermentation Tasmania in Tasmania and the Noongar Land Enterprise Group in Western Australia. Together, these organisations form Australia’s leading agrifood clusters, working collaboratively to strengthen opportunities for food, beverage and agribusiness enterprises. By leveraging the collective strength of five state-based clusters, Cluster Connect builds a thriving ecosystem where agrifood businesses can innovate, connect and scale. For NLE, this role ensures Western Australian enterprises have access to a national network of expertise while also amplifying Aboriginal-led participation in the future of Australia’s food and agriculture industries.
- View page: Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program
Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program
Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program Administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), this program helped WA landholders explore carbon farming opportunities and assess how tree planting projects could deliver both environmental and economic benefits. As part of the program, the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) worked with voucher recipients to identify suitable areas of their properties for tree carbon projects. NLE advised on species selection based on location, rainfall and soil type, ensuring plantings met the requirements of the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme’s Reforestation by Environmental or Mallee Planting methodology. Working with Independent Carbon Advisors - a collaboration between NLE, Carbon West and Richard Brake Consulting - Carbon Farming Plans were developed for 23 landowners across WA, from Yuna in the north, east to Holt Rock, south to Albany and west to Busselton. These plans included spatial mapping, yield predictions and practical advice to help farmers make informed decisions. By funding expert input, DPIRD enabled farmers to better understand the opportunities, costs and risks of carbon farming while also building capacity in WA’s emerging carbon industry. Through this work, NLE contributed to a growing network of landholders ready to develop carbon projects that sequester carbon, generate tradeable credits, and deliver co-benefits such as healthier soils, stronger biodiversity and greater on-farm resilience.
