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Our Services & the Central Desert Region of WA

Central Desert’s work area covers a third of Western Australia and includes some of the most remote and isolated communities and country in the world.

While similarities can be found across the region, there are different groups, each with their own dialects and emphasis on different cultural protocols.

Aboriginal people of the Central Desert share the central belief system of Tjukurrpa, which can be understood as “the Dreaming” or “the Lore”, as members of the Western Desert Cultural Bloc (WDCB).

Central Desert has developed close and enduring relationships built on trust and familiarity to work together to maximise the potential of their native title rights and statutory obligations.

These outcomes are achieved via a mentoring approach offering legal, research, heritage, governance, GIS, land management, trustee management and business support to advance corporations’ existing capacity. 

There are more than two dozen Prescribed Bodies Corporate in the 'Central Desert Service Area', as can be seen on the map, which Central Desert supports in different ways.

The "Service Area" or Representative Area also stretches across four (4) Development Commissions (Department of Regional Development) Regions, which influence WA State Government department program interactions with PBCs.

(Download a pdf of the Development Commission Regions map here)

See the interactive map below for detailed information on each group, including how to contact them directly.

A full list of determinations in the Central Desert region can be found here, or below.

Read a snapshot summary of the region - as told with more maps, including some recent statistics, here.

The Central Desert Area

Jurruru/Yinhawangka Gobawarrah

The Jurruru Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, Gobawarrah Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation

Martu

Western Desert region, Western Australia and Rudall River National Park (Karlamilyi) 150km east of Marble Bar

Jaru

Nharnuwangga

Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Nyiyaparli

Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

WA Mirning People

Mirning Traditional Lands Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Ngadju

Ngadju Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Jurruru People

The Jurruru Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Tjurabalan

South of Halls Creek, near NT border

Wajarri Yamatji

Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation

Ngaanyatjarra Lands

Central Desert Region, WA

Yinhawangka People

Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC

Yugunga-Nya People

Yugunga-Nya Native Title Aboriginal Corporation

Waturta - see Cross Country Native Title Services

Nyalpa Pirniku

Kakarra Part A

Kakarra Part B

Payarri - see Native Title Services Goldfields

Yugunga-Nya People #2 - active claim

Yeo Lake Nature Reserve

Great Victoria Desert Nature Reserve

Plumridge Lakes Nature Reserve

Neale Junction Nature Reserve

Karlamilyi National Park

Wiluna #4

Wiluna #5

Tjiwarl

Central Desert region, Western Australia

Gingirana # 4

Central Desert Region of Western Australia, 125km south of Newman

Spinifex

Great Victoria Desert, Western Australia

Kiwirrkurra

Gibson Desert west of Lake Mackay, Alice Springs 700km to east of boundary

Ngururrpa

Central Desert region, Western Australia

Wiluna and Tarlpa

North west goldfields region, Wiluna

Pilki

South East Desert region

Birriliburu

Pilbara Region in Western Australia. Approx. 200km north east of Wiluna

Ngurra Kayanta

In the Great Sandy Desert approx. 1000km east of the town of Karratha

Kulyakartu

East Pilbara region of Western Australia

Yilka

North East of Laverton, Central Desert region, Western Australia

Gingirana

Central Desert Region of Western Australia, 125km south of Newman

Manta Rirrtinya

Central Desert region, Western Australia

Lappi Lappi and Ngulupi

Pilbara region, Western Australia

Kultju

Central Desert region, Western Australia; 50km south east of Wiluna in the Shire of Wiluna and Shire of Leonora

Pila Nature Reserve

Central Desert region, Western Australia

Gingirana #3

Central Desert Region of Western Australia, 125km south of Newman

Untiri Pulka

South East area of the Central Desert region

Upurli Upurli Nguratja

South East area of the Central Desert region

Nangaanya-ku

Central Desert region, Western Australia, east of Laverton.

39

Native Title Determinations in the Central Desert Region, as at 30 June 2024 - download list here

800,000km2

in the service area of the most remote country in Australia

16

PBCs provided with section 203BB agreement making and implementation services 

Over 100 

trips through the region each year to meet with clients on their country.