Funding for the WKSN ranger program

Minister Reece Whitby with CEOs of the Whadjuk, Ballardong, WKSN and GKB regional corporations

WKSN will receive $1,106,811 of funding from the state government’s Aboriginal Ranger Program to start our new WKSN Ranger Program.

This funding will be used to pay for:

• business and operations planning

• a ranger yard to serve as an operations base and equipment storage

• vehicles and land management equipment, and

• 5 full time equivalent ranger positions, including a senior ranger

The WKSN rangers will work primarily on land in the Noongar Land Estate, doing maintenance including building fire breaks, weeding, fencing etc as well as protecting cultural sites and values.

The team will also do some Aboriginal heritage site/values protection and management on other land across the WKSN region.

Young Noongar rangers will be supported to obtain tickets and licenses to improve their job qualifications through TAFE while they work with the team.

We aim to have a Senior Ranger ready begin work in early 2025.

WKSN chairperson Jeanice Krakouer said:

“We're excited to be successful in our application for funding to start our first WKSN Ranger Program.

“The Noongar Land Estate is a highly significant transfer of land back into the hands of Noongar people. This funding will allow us to create new employment opportunities for Noongar people to care for our own boodja.

“This funding will help us to continue the progress we’re making under the ILUA to maximise the benefits of the South West Native Title Settlement for Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar people, culture, knowledge land and sea.

“We look forward to finishing the planning phase and employing our first rangers at the end of the year.”