Functions of a Local Aboriginal Land Council
The NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act (1983) provides for a Local Aboriginal Land Council to have the following functions:
(a) in accordance with any regulations, to acquire land and to use, mange, control, hold or dispose of, or otherwise deal with, land vested in or acquired by the Council
(b) to negotiate the acquisition by the Council or by the Council and one or more other Local Aboriginal Land Councils of lands of cultural significance to Aboriginal persons that are listed in Schedule 14 to NPW Act and the lease of those lands to the Minister administering that Act,
(c) to submit proposals to the Director General of National Parks and Wildlife for the listing in that Schedule of other lands of cultural significance to Aboriginal persons that are reserved or dedicated under the NPW Act,
(d) to negotiate the lease by the Council or by the Council and one or more other Local Aboriginal Land Councils of lands to which section 36A applies to the Minister administering the NPW Act,
(e) to make applications in writing to the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council for the acquisition by the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council of land on behalf of, or to be vested in, the Local Aboriginal Land Council,
(f) to make applications in writing to the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council or other persons or bodies for the granting of funds for the payment of the costs and expenses of the Local Aboriginal Land Council,
(g) to implement the wishes of its members (as decided at a meeting of the Council) with respect to the acquisition, management, use, control and disposal of land, and the acquisition, establishment and operation of enterprises (including enterprises that promote employment and employment training as a means of obtaining self-sufficiency for Aboriginal persons),
(h) to consider application to prospect or mine for minerals on its land and to make recommendations to the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council in respect of such applications,
(i) to make claims to Crown lands,
(j) to acquire, construct, upgrade or extend residential accommodation for Aboriginal persons in its area,
(k) to protect the interests of Aboriginal persons in its area in relation to the acquisition, management, use, control, and disposal of its land,
(l) to negotiate with persons desiring to use, occupy or gain access to any part of its land,
(m) to promote the protection of Aboriginal culture and heritage of Aboriginal persons in its area,
(n) to ensure that no part of the income or property of the Council is transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend or bonus or otherwise by way of profit to members of the Council (nothing in this paragraph prevents the payment in good faith of remuneration to any officer or member of staff of the Council),
(o) such other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act.