Aboriginal Land Claim granted on former police site

Media release | 12 November 2020

The NSW Government has approved an Aboriginal Land Claim over the former Orange Police station site.

Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the land claim has been assessed by the Aboriginal Land Claims unit within the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and approved by the Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey.

“The former NSW Police station site in Byng Street, Orange has been vacant for a number of years following the opening of the city’s new police station across the road,” Mr Farraway said.

“Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, vacant Crown land can be claimed by Local Aboriginal Land Councils if it is not being lawfully used or occupied.

“The land claim was lodged by the NSW Aboriginal Land Council on behalf of Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council.

“The granted land covers about 2,000 square metres on the former police station site and does not extend to the adjacent courthouse.

“The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will conduct a site survey to confirm the boundaries of the land prior to it being transferred to Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council as freehold land.”

Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the NSW Government was committed to the Aboriginal Land Rights process to support economic and social outcomes for Indigenous communities.

“Over 1,500 NSW land claims were assessed in 2019-20 with 280 land grants approved.  This was the highest number of claims ever processed and grants ever made in a single year since the Aboriginal Land Rights Act was introduced in 1983.

“More than 150,000 hectares of land have now been granted to Local Aboriginal Land Councils through Aboriginal Land Claims since the Aboriginal Land Rights Act began.”