Two former government properties will be used to support community housing following successful Aboriginal land claims at Cobar and Lightning Ridge.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said these two properties were formerly used for government staff accommodation but became surplus to needs.
The three-bedroom homes will be used to support Aboriginal families.
“There is demand for more residential accommodation in Western NSW, so I’m pleased to see these properties put to use for local residents,” Mrs Pavey said.
A three-bedroom, two-bathroom brick veneer house on a 1,000 square metre block at Lightning Ridge, has been transferred to Lightning Ridge Local Aboriginal Land Council.
“We’re very happy to have this property, it’s like gold as there is a real need for more residential housing in this area,” Lightening Ridge Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Petrina Brown said.
Another three-bedroom, one-bathroom house, located on a 1,012 square metre block at Cobar, is being transferred to the ownership of Cobar Local Aboriginal Land Council.
“It’s fantastic news as this property will help accommodate local residents,” Cobar Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Amy Pagett said.
Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, Aboriginal land councils can lodge claims on Crown land, which are then assessed against statutory criteria in the Act by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
If the land is assessed and found to be claimable Crown land under the Act, then the claim is granted and the land transferred as freehold land to the Aboriginal land Council.
Over the past two financial years, more than 1,972 Aboriginal land claims have been processed, with more than 6,500 hectares of land granted to Aboriginal land councils.
