The First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee Region (FPRMMR) are recognised as the native title holders of approximately 260 square kilometres of land and waters in South Australia and are represented by the River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC). Consent Determination was granted in 2011 and resulted in the formal legal recognition of the First People of the River Murray and Mallee Region’s (FPRMMR) ongoing and traditional relationship to the land and waters and their continuing connection to country.
Native title recognises our non-exclusive rights to undertake our traditional cultural activities, maintain our connection to country and protection of our sites of cultural significance. Since the consent determination, the South Australian Government and RMMAC have entered into an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) that sets out the terms of our ongoing relationship.
Many years of water over-allocation and river regulation has led to a decline in the health of the Murray River, aided by an extended period of drought that spanned across the entire Murray-Darling Basin.
This has had significant impacts on the Riverland floodplains and waterways, which in turn affects FPRMMR exclusive native title rights.
RMMAC and the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) have established the First Peoples Working Group (FPWG) to facilitate participation in Cultural and Natural Resource Management, planning and the implementation of activities within our FPRRMR ILUA.
The FPWG is an engagement platform where the FPRMMR have the opportunity to have input into the management and protection of their country, waters and cultural heritage, to have a voice in all DEW environmental projects, in which there are many.
The FPWG first started in June 2013 and consists of the RMMAC Directors and their nominated First Peoples community member to attend all FPWG meetings.