DISPUTE OVER NORTHAM ABORIGINAL RESERVE DEEPENS AS COMMUNITY MEMBER CHALLENGES OFFICIAL CLAIMS

BY TANGIORA HINAKI AND MARLI RYAN

A dispute over the management and future of an Aboriginal reserve in Northam has intensified, with a community member disputing claims made by the Aboriginal Lands Trust and the Shire of Northam about conditions at the site.

Jason Bropho says his father has lived on the reserve since the mid-1990s and has allowed people experiencing homelessness to camp there in recent years.

Mr Bropho told Ngaarda Media the situation became difficult when some people began damaging the area.

“My dad opened it up for homeless people to come out there, but it backfired on him a bit,” he said.
“They trashed the place and it’s absolutely messy out there.”

He also raised concerns about the site's electricity being disconnected late last year.

“They shut the power off just before Christmas,” he said.
“My dad had no fridge, no electricity, no fan. Someone found him lying face down in the heat.”

However, the Aboriginal Lands Trust says the land, known as Reserve 8313, has not had a formal lease arrangement for more than a decade.

In a statement provided through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, a spokesperson said the previous lease was terminated in 2012.

“The Mulark Aboriginal Corporation previously held a lease over the reserve however this was terminated in May 2012 following the corporation being deregistered,” the spokesperson said.
“No lease or management arrangements have been in place for the reserve since that time.”

The department said an unauthorised and unsafe electrical connection from the reserve to a neighbouring property had been disconnected, and that government agencies supported residents to move to alternative housing in late 2025 because the site was no longer considered suitable for residential use.

The Aboriginal Lands Trust says it is consulting Aboriginal stakeholders, including Ballardong representatives and other local groups, about the future of the reserve.

Council says complaints raised about conditions

The Shire of Northam says it does not control the reserve but has received complaints about conditions there.

Shire President Chris Antonio said concerns reported to the council included sanitation issues, rubbish accumulation, fire hazards and anti-social behaviour.

“In recent years, the Shire has been notified of numerous concerns regarding the lack of suitable sanitation, accumulation of rubbish, fire hazards, anti-social behaviour and health concerns raised in relation to what is believed to be unauthorised occupation of the reserve,” he said.

Mr Antonio said the Shire had passed complaints on to the relevant landowners and helped facilitate discussions between elders and the Aboriginal Lands Trust.

He also said some elders had raised concerns about the condition of the site affecting its cultural use.

“The Shire is happy to advocate to the Aboriginal Lands Trust for development of the reserve for cultural purposes in the future, aligned with what the local Ballardong people are wanting,” he said.

Bropho disputes official claims

Jason Bropho has challenged several statements made by authorities about the Northam Aboriginal Reserve, saying the community wants a stronger role in decisions about the site.

Mr Bropho says a new organisation connected to the reserve was formed in 2017, when his aunty Janet Kickett changed the name from Mulark Corporation to the Northam Aboriginal Reserve Corporation.

He also disputes claims that multiple complaints have been made about conditions at the reserve and says the community wants greater transparency.

“Complaints — only one letter we received about complaints. No more than that,” he said.

Mr Bropho rejects suggestions the site poses a fire risk and questions claims that local elders have raised concerns about the reserve, saying elders who previously lived there want the land returned.

He also disputes claims the electricity supply is illegal, saying it supports his father’s home on land he believes has historically been part of the reserve.

Mr Bropho says documents and family history show the area once included homes and a community hall, and that elders want to return.

“The elders want their houses built back on the reserve and want to come back home,” he said.

Consultation over the future management and possible divestment of the reserve is ongoing.

A meeting will be held at the reserve in Northam, this Saturday March 15th.