This significant milestone reflects years of hard work and dedication by the Tiwi community, supported by the Savanna Fire Management (SFM) Program, which is funded by the INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture. 

Launched in 2016, the SFM Program aims to empower Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory by providing about $2 million annually over 18 years. 

The funding supports the coordination, training and early operational costs of carbon projects on Aboriginal lands, targeting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions caused by uncontrolled wildfires in the late dry season — responsible for more than 4 percent of Australia’s total emissions. 

The Tiwi Islands Fire and Carbon Project integrates traditional fire management, developed over thousands of years, with contemporary scientific approaches. 

By controlled burns during the early dry season, Indigenous rangers can reduce the intensity and frequency of late-season fires, protecting the environment and cultural heritage sites. 

Since its registration with the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator in 2016, the project has achieved remarkable outcomes. 

The project, which spans about 8000 square kilometres of Aboriginal land across Bathurst and Melville islands, has generated 230,020 Australian carbon credit units. 

Community involvement has been pivotal to the project’s success. 

More than 100 Traditional Owners and their families have taken part in annual fire planning and operations. 

The hands-on engagement not only supports effective fire strategies but also strengthens the cultural ties of the Tiwi people to their land. 

The transition to independence has been supported by the INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture, which has provided financial backing through the SFM Program as part of a broader $91 million voluntary offsets package agreed upon with the Northern Territory Government. 

The funding has enabled the Tiwi community to build the capacity and infrastructure essential for the long-term viability of their carbon business. 

Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation chief executive Joe Morrison says: “The Tiwi Fire and Carbon Project exemplifies our mission to support First Nations peoples in achieving self-determination.” 

The corporation’s role in the transition has been instrumental in helping the Tiwi project to be first to move from SFM support to independent operation. 

The official celebration of the achievement took place in Wurrumiyanga, the main community on Bathurst Island. Traditional Owners, project partners and supporters gathered to commemorate the Tiwi people’s journey toward self-determination and economic development. 

“This transition to independent management is a monumental step for the Tiwi people,” says Tiwi Resources. “It reflects our dedication to managing our land in a way that honours our culture and preserves our environment.” 

INPEX General Manager Northern Territory Richard Finch says: “This project is supporting positive outcomes for the Tiwi people as they strengthen their connection to their Country while using their traditional knowledge and techniques to manage it.” 

The Tiwi Islands Fire and Carbon Project not only demonstrates the potential for Indigenous-led initiatives to thrive but also serves as a model for other Indigenous communities aiming to establish sustainable carbon enterprises. 

By blending traditional ecological knowledge with modern practices, the Tiwi project showcases how Indigenous peoples can effectively contribute to addressing contemporary environmental challenges. 

As the Tiwi community embarks on this new chapter as an independent carbon enterprise, the benefits will extend beyond carbon credits. 

The project promises to create jobs, enhance cultural stewardship and foster economic resilience, ensuring that the Tiwi Islands continue to thrive for generations to come. 

Find out more about the Savanna Fire Management Program at ilsc.gov.au