Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation secures future of cultural heritage with joint national park agreement:

In the Mid West-Gascoyne region a new national park has been established through collaboration between the Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation and the WA government.

Jilgu National Park, covering 102,000 hectares of picturesque mulga landscape adorned with rugged hills and watercourses, marks a significant addition to conservation efforts.

Under the Indigenous Land Use Agreement, the Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation will engage in joint management of both Jilgu National Park and the established Collier Range National Park alongside the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction (DBCA).

Nharnuwangga, Wajarri and Ngarla woman and Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson, Michelle Riley appreciates the certainty from DBCA to fulfill their dream of caring for their country and preserving sacred sites, emphasising the cultural significance of the parks’ ancestral sites and songlines.

This collaborative effort entails the employment of five Traditional Owners for land stewardship purposes, paving the way for potential investments in nature-based tourism and other economic ventures.

Five Traditional Owners will undertake the responsibility of land stewardship, with potential for future investments in nature-based tourism and economic prospects.

WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby hailed the establishment of Jilgu National Park as a significant step towards achieving the state government’s conservation target, emphasising the cultural significance of the landscape and the government’s commitment to its protection.

Jilgu National Park, once part of the Waldburg pastoral lease acquired by the Government over two decades ago for conservation purposes, harbors diverse native.