The Australian Government recognises that Indigenous people are major stakeholders in the management and protection of Australia's natural and cultural resources. Over the past 20 years successive Australian Governments have committed substantial resources to the restoration of Australia's natural environment. Approximately 15 per cent of mainland Australia is owned and managed by Indigenous people and the Australian Government recognises that sustainable environmental management of this land is of national importance.
Indigenous people retain a strong sense of responsibility for managing and protecting their land.
The Australian Government is working in partnership with Indigenous communities and land owners to restore degraded areas, to address land management issues and to solve problems that have arisen because of introduced organisms or land use. The Government has implemented a number of programs and enacted legislation aimed at the long-term environmental management of Indigenous land. It aims to deliver cleaner beaches, healthier rivers and waterways, less air pollution, more productive land and expanded programs to protect our endangered and threatened species. To help Indigenous Australians address their land management needs and to gain access to NHT funding the Australian Government has established a network of 13 Indigenous Land Management Facilitators throughout Australia. The facilitators are funded through the NHT's Bushcare and National Landcare programs and are located in all regions.