Two South Coast Local Aboriginal Lands Councils (LALC) will share in almost $7 million funding to employ more local First Nations rangers, as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s national expansion of the Indigenous Rangers Program.

The Batemans Bay LALC will receive $3,178,994, while further north, the Jerrinja LALC will receive $3,743,409 in federal funds to allow their existing ranger programs to grow and evolve.

Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has welcomed the funding for two organisations in her electorate.

“I’m so pleased this funding has been directed to two wonderful organisations that are encouraging young indigenous men and women to get involved and care for their environment,” she said.

“And I’m proud that the Albanese Government continues to support Traditional Owners to manage and protect land and sea Country for future generations.”

Batemans Bay LALC CEO Roslyn Carriage said the funding would allow the ranger group to expand.

“This funding means we can employ more rangers and start training up some more young people,” she said.

“Our rangers work in estuaries as well as on the land, and carry out weeding, soil erosion projects, traditional burning and surveys for endangered flora and fauna.

“We’re trying to encourage more young people to get involved and get back on Country and to help bring the land back to the way it should be.”

Jerrinja LALC CEO Alfred Wellington said the funding boost would allow the established ranger team to continue operating with confidence over the next four years.

“We are attempting to close the gender gap a little bit too, so we hope to recruit another three to four female rangers,” he said.

“This is very welcome news and means we can build on what we’ve already achieved.”

Mr Wellington said the Jerrinja Rangers have adopted an holistic environmental management plan to care for natural and cultural areas across the local land, lake and river systems.

They already operate a successful native flower nursery and plan to create a mangrove nursery.

The new local recruits will be among more than 1,000 new Indigenous ranger jobs that will be created across the country, with the Albanese Government investing $355 million over four years to expand the Indigenous Rangers Program.

First Nations women will make up the vast majority of the new full-time, part-time and casual roles, with up to 770 Indigenous ranger positions.

The Albanese Government is investing a total of $1.3 billion to 2028 in the Indigenous Rangers Program with aims to double the number of Indigenous rangers by the end of the decade.

Women Indigenous rangers play an important role in ensuring the protection of sacred women’s sites and the preservation of important cultural knowledge and practices.

For more than 65,000 years, First Nations people have been caretakers of Australia’s land, rivers, seas, flora and fauna.

Indigenous rangers continue this legacy today, managing Country according to Traditional Owners’ objectives combined with modern conservation training.

They use traditional knowledge and cultural practices, and Western science, to manage land, river and sea Country and deliver environmental, cultural, social and economic development outcomes for First Nations communities.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said expanding the Indigenous Rangers Program would provide more opportunities for First Nations people to share their knowledge and benefit from the social and economic outcomes that come from meaningful employment.

“This expansion delivers on the government’s commitment to increase the Indigenous Rangers Program’s footprint and bolster activity in existing locations, with new opportunities for women Indigenous rangers who play a unique role in caring for Country,” she said.

“I acknowledge the work of all rangers and the care and strength they demonstrate in looking after Country. I also want to show appreciation for all people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who cross paths with and learn from them.”

Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek said by expanding both the Indigenous Rangers Program and the successful Indigenous Protected Area program, the Federal Government continues to support Traditional Owners to manage and protect land and sea Country.

“We are so lucky in this country to have the world’s most successful environmentalists to learn from,” she said.

“First Nations people have actively managed Country for 65,000 years and provide skilled environmental and cultural expertise that benefits all of Australia.”

More information can be found on the Indigenous Rangers website.

Photos: The Jirrinja LALC rangers have welcomed federal funding which will ensure the program can continue and expand. Photo by Jirrinja LALC.

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