New indigenous cattle force to manage Myroodah

Indigenous-owned Kimberley Agriculture Pastoral Company is taking over management of the 402,000ha Myroodah Station near Derby, positioning it as one of the biggest cattle operators in the West Kimberley.

The company plans to run 17,000 head of cattle on Myroodah, which on Monday transferred from the Indigenous Land Corporation to its native title owners, the Nyikina Mangala people.

The ILC acquired Myroodah Station in 1999 for $2.34 million, aiming to improve the property before handing it to its traditional owners whose native title body corporate is the Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation. The station’s pastoral lease is now valued about $15 million.

KAPCO plans to run 17,000 head of cattle under its sub-lease over the property, which is situated along the Fitzroy River.

KAPCO chairman Wayne Bergmann said Myroodah would become part of an enterprise which encompassed three other West Kimberley stations: Frazier Downs, Mt Anderson and Bohemia Downs.

ILC Group chief executive John Maher said his organisation’s mandate was to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to acquire and manage land for economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits.

“The transfer of Myroodah is an excellent example of the ILC working with Aboriginal people to unlock the potential of indigenous-held land,” he said.

WAC chairman Robert Watson said it was a monumental occasion for local Aboriginal people.

“Our people have a long history with Myroodah Station, with many of our ancestors being born, working and even being buried on the station,” he said.

Profits from the business will go into a trust for the benefit of the traditional owners.