SANTS News – April 2026

Monthly native title updates

We’re hiring: Cultural Flows Coordinator

Work alongside Traditional Owners to ensure cultural water interests are recognised in planning and policy.

In this role, the Peramangk Cultural Flows Coordinator will:

• Engage with the Peramangk Aboriginal Corporation (PAC), community members, government agencies, water planners, ecologists, hydrologists and private landholders
• Support the development of a Cultural Flows Plan, identifying cultural water values and priorities to inform planning and policy
• Help build capacity for PAC to participate in water governance
• Explore opportunities for economic outcomes through water ownership and participation in water markets.

Adelaide-based with extensive work on Peramangk Country
Applications close 5pm, Friday 15 May 2026

Apply here

PBC Forum

SANTS will host a PBC Forum on 16–17 June to discuss future directions and identify priorities for Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs).

Invitations have been sent directly to PBCs and claim groups across South Australia, with each group invited to nominate two delegates.

This forum is an important opportunity to contribute to future planning and decision-making. Attendees will connect with other PBCs, share experiences and challenges, and provide feedback to SANTS on how we can better support their aspirations.

The two-day forum will include a dedicated session focused on youth perspectives. Expressions of interest are now open for young people aged 18-25 with connections to a PBC or claim group.

Please note this is a SANTS and PBC-only forum. Travel, accommodation and meals will be provided, but there will be no sitting fees.

Date: 16–17 June
Venue: Novotel Barossa Valley Resort
Youth EOIs close: 29 May 2026

EOI form for young people (aged 18-25)

New legislation marks major step forward to protect First Nations children

Nominations are invited for the Premier’s NAIDOC Award to honour two extraordinary
Aboriginal South Australians who’ve made an outstanding positive contribution to shape lives and strengthen community.

If you know an Aboriginal person whose commitment and service inspires others to make a difference, nominate them today!

The person you nominate must be:

• an Aboriginal South Australian resident
• over the age of 18 years
• someone who has made a significant contribution to the lives of Aboriginal people in South Australia.

Download a nomination form and send your nomination marked ‘confidential’ by email to NAIDOC@sa.gov.au or by post to:

The Premier’s NAIDOC Award
C/- Craig Macauley
Attorney-General’s Department
Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation
GPO Box 464
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Nominations must be received by 5pm, Friday 22 May 2026.

If you’d like to discuss your nomination, please contact Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation on 08 7322 7057 or email NAIDOC@sa.gov.au

Aboriginal interests for water rights endorsed

A co-design process for the South Australian Framework to Advance Aboriginal Water Interests has been endorsed by PBC representatives across the state, marking the culmination of 18 months of forums.

Following the final workshop in Port Augusta last month, feedback on the draft framework will now be submitted to the South Australian Government to help ensure it reflects the water needs and aspirations of Traditional Owners.

Throughout 2025, 10 workshops were held across South Australia to gather input on how government can better support Aboriginal water rights and unlock funding for priority projects.

The process was facilitated by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), in partnership with SANTS, Landscape SA, SA Water and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

A key focus of the framework is capturing the diverse water aspirations of Traditional Owners across regions – from ownership and business development to on-ground projects and building capacity to participate in water management.

PBC Climate Risk Forum

The First Nations Climate Risk Forum was held in Port Augusta following the water framework workshop, providing an opportunity for PBCs to raise climate-related concerns specific to their Country.

Discussions focused on key issues, concerns and potential solutions for First Nations communities in response to the impacts of climate change.

This feedback will inform the South Australian Government’s understanding of climate risks, as well as future risk management and adaptation planning.

The forum opened with a presentation from the Department for Environment and Water on key findings from recent climate risk work, followed by a facilitated discussion on how Traditional Owners are observing changes on Country.

Key points raised:

• People in the APY Lands and other regions are experiencing challenges during heatwaves due to increased temperatures and limited access to power, driven in part by high electricity costs.

• The replacement of native vegetation was identified as reducing ecosystem resilience in South Australia, particularly in relation to buffel grass in the state’s northwest.

• Rising temperatures are contributing to native wildlife migrating due to reduced water availability caused by drought.

• Bird deaths and local extinctions have been reported due to heat exhaustion, particularly in the Flinders Ranges area.

• Delays in plant fruiting and flowering have been observed.

• Key roads took weeks, and in some cases a month or more, to reconnect following flooding.

The post SANTS News – April 2026 first appeared on SA Native Title.