What responsibilities do Aboriginal people have when taking over land?

State laws and local government by-laws must be obeyed. That is true whether the land is freehold, leasehold or a leased reserve.

Where a freehold land title is held over land, all local government rates, taxes and service authority charges have to be paid. In some circumstances, an Aboriginal community may seek an exemption from paying rates (permission not to pay) if, for example, the land is held for charitable purposes. Communities are normally expected to pay service charges such as rubbish collection costs.

Where land is leased (as leasehold of Crown land or as a leased reserve), it is necessary to comply with the requirements in the lease.