The Australian Indigenous Governance Institute showcases eight 2022 Indigenous Governance Awards finalists who example innovation, self-determination, sustainability, effectiveness and cultural-legitimacy in their...
Western Arnhem Regional Council
Western Arnhem Regional Council (formerly the West Arnhem Shire) provides services to improve the employment opportunities and health and wellbeing of its residents.
The council has a vision:
“Strong communities working together to improve our lives.”
On its journey to becoming a shire council, the West Arnhem Shire Transitional Committee also prepared a draft preamble. This was developed by Indigenous community leaders and organisations in Arnhem Land.
The preamble explains their governance vision and commitment to a regional form of local government with foundations in their traditional culture and governance system. It also has strong links and legitimacy in the non-Indigenous world around them.
This preamble is shaped in accordance with the visions, needs and aspirations of the people of the West and Central Arnhem and the Kakadu areas of the Northern Territory. This area is in transition to a Regional Shire to be known as the West Arnhem Shire. The preamble is grounded in the traditional Aboriginal law, language and systems of self-governance for the region. It brings this view to the implementation of local government administrative systems that provide service delivery to all peoples of our area. It provides understanding and support for legislation which links our local communities and governance to the other two tiers of government within our nation.
Read the full preamble: