Five-year leases on Aboriginal townships

The Australian Government currently holds five-year leases over 64 Northern Territory communities as a part of the Northern Territory National Emergency Response (NTER).

The leases were acquired under legislation by the former Government to facilitate the administration of the NTER, providing security of tenure and prompt access for the delivery of services, repair of buildings and development of infrastructure in communities. 

The lease areas were originally defined using aerial photographic maps. However, cadastral surveys have now been conducted in most of these townships to identify and protect sacred sites and allow for the leases to be reduced in size.

As the underlying title of the land is unaffected by the leases, traditional owners still own the land. The legislation provides for reasonable payment to be made to the land owners where there is an acquisition of property otherwise than in accordance with section 51(xxxi) of the Australian Constitution.

Individuals or organisations wanting to request use of five-year leased land must seek approval from the Australian Government. The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is responsible for approving new or changed uses of land on five-year leased communities.

The names of the communities where the Australian Government holds five-year leases, and details on the process for gaining approval for new and changed uses of five-year leased land, can be found on this website.