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Consultations highlight opportunities and concerns for Aboriginal participation in bush produce industry

Aboriginal communities across Australia have taken part in extensive consultations as part of Yoordaninj-bah - Growing the Australian Bush Produce Industry with Aboriginal Participation, a national project being led and facilitated by the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE). Since its launch in late 2019, the project has engaged 196 participants through workshops and meetings held in locations including Beverley, Esperance, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Bremer Bay, Nowra, Woorabinda, Cairns and Tennant Creek.  About 75 per cent of attendees were Aboriginal, with non-Indigenous participants invited as trusted partners or potential collaborators. NLE chief executive officer Alan Beattie said the consultations demonstrated both the potential of the bush produce industry and the issues that need to be addressed to ensure Aboriginal people benefit fairly.“Aboriginal communities see real opportunities for social, cultural and economic outcomes through a strong bush produce industry. But they also have legitimate concerns about how Sacred Knowledge is protected, and how participation is supported in ways that are culturally appropriate and community-led.” Each workshop followed a two-part model: a meeting and tour on country or through local facilities to set the context, followed by presentations and facilitated discussions.  These sessions explored the current state of the bush produce industry, intellectual property and knowledge protection, and examples of Aboriginal enterprise.  Bush foods were often showcased as meals, sparking discussion and highlighting the potential of the industry. Key themes emerged from the consultations, including a desire for stronger collaboration between communities, the need to invest in Aboriginal leadership, and the importance of bridging generational divides so that cultural knowledge is transferred while new business opportunities are developed.  Communities also highlighted that while many programs focus on social service delivery, there is a gap in support for entrepreneurism and enterprise building. Mr Beattie said the feedback reinforced the value of NLE sharing its own journey and grower group governance model. “Communities want examples they can learn from, and they want to see that business development is possible when it’s done in the right way,” he said. The consultations will directly inform the next stages of the Yoordaninj-bah project, including the development of cultural protocols, and the business case for a Bush Food Incubation Hub at Avondale.

Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program supports WA landholders with new carbon farming plans

Twenty-three Western Australian landholders have worked with Independent Carbon Advisors to prepare carbon farming plans, helping them explore tree planting opportunities that deliver both environmental and economic benefits. The work formed part of the Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program, administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), which provides vouchers for farmers to access expert advice on the feasibility, costs and returns of carbon farming projects. Independent Carbon Advisors - a collaboration between the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE), Carbon West and Richard Brake Consulting - prepared the plans for properties spanning Yuna in the north, east to Holt Rock, south to Albany and west to Busselton. NLE chief executive officer Alan Beattie said the program had given farmers a clear starting point for making decisions about carbon farming. “Carbon farming can feel complex, but these plans break it down into practical steps,” Mr Beattie said. “We’ve been able to identify which areas of land are suitable for tree planting, select species that match rainfall and soil types, and make sure those choices meet the requirements of the national Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme.” The plans included spatial mapping, carbon yield predictions, and advice on legal and financial considerations.  Each was tailored to the landholder’s property and business goals, providing a roadmap for projects that sequester carbon and generate tradeable ACCUs. Mr Beattie said the benefits extended well beyond carbon credits. “Farmers are looking not just at the income stream from ACCUs, but also at how carbon farming can improve soil health, biodiversity and resilience across their properties. This program gave them the knowledge to plan with confidence.” DPIRD’s Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program is part of the WA Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program, which aims to build knowledge and capacity across the state’s emerging carbon industry.

An Introduction from the NLE's first CEO - Alan Beattie