The business success of Warrigundu Station in the Northern Territory will help other Indigenous pastoral businesses become sustainable and commercially viable as part of the federal government’s Indigenous Pastoral Project.
This initiative could be a boost for Indigenous employment, with the minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Joe Ludwig visiting Warrigundu Station to announce it as one of three case studies for the $500,000 Northern Australia Beef Industry Strategy Indigenous Pastoral Project (IPP).
Delta Downs Station in Normanton, Queensland was also selected, based on it being a long term, successful Indigenous pastoral enterprise that is owned, managed and supervised by the local Kurtjar Aboriginal Community.
The property was purchased by the Aboriginal Development Corporation and then handed over to the traditional owners of the land – the Kurtjar people – in 1982, becoming a successful business and training facility.
“We want the IPP to offer a step-by-step framework that can help Indigenous pastoral enterprises and Indigenous land owners [sic] to develop successful pastoral businesses,” Minister Ludwig said.
“Sharing the experiences of successful businesses like Warringundu [sic] is an important part of that, and it’s fantastic to see the station getting involved.”
Mr Ludwig said case studies like Warrigundu will help build community support for similar business ventures as well as engage Indigenous youth and give them a guided pathway into the beef industry.
