FAMILIES from Swan Hill, Robinvale and Balranald are reportedly among those to have moved into housing on properties vacated due to the Nimmie-Caira project.
The $180 million Nimmie-Caira water buyback saw properties purchased from 10 landholders between Balranald and Hay in 2013.
About 84,000 hectares of land and 380,000 megalitres of water were included in the sale.
Since the deal was sealed, key stakeholders have been working to develop a plan for the future of the Nimmie-Caira – an area of environmental and cultural significance.
Wakool Indigenous Corporation’s Gary Pappin said about half a dozen Aboriginal families had now moved into homes vacated following the deal.
A Muthi Muthi man, he said the land of the Nimmie-Caira was an area of cultural significance to his people, but that the families had not followed “proper processes” in moving into the homes.
“There are proper processes to go through,” he said.
“There are a great deal of conversations between the Aboriginal communities of Hay and Balranald over future management of the Nimmie-Caira area.
“For people to just go out and take up residence, it makes it difficult for future management given that those houses were going to be earmarked for caretakers and workers.”
Deniliquin Local Area Command Detective Inspector Peter Hayes said police were currently considering their options.
“We are looking at engaging the people on the premises out there and we will be taking some form of action,” he said.
For more on this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (March 13).
