People, training and retention – 

CDNTS maintained a high-level of retention over the period. Most staff have been with the corporation for more than 2 years, and up to 2 decades. The employment environment remains highly competitive to attract and retain qualified staff. 

CDNTS grew in number of staff which is reflective of the increasing demands to deliver services to our clients and successfully acquiring funding to cover the increase in positions. We welcome new skills and experience to contribute to the stable team environment.

Safety and systems –

Our commitment to WHS continued to build momentum with a comprehensive review of the Group. The focus was on efficiency of systems and investing time and resources in prevention to streamline processes, continuously reviewing alignment with legislation and compliance requirements. 

Safety and wellbeing education has also been a priority, ensuring values alignment is second nature for all staff and shared with clients and contractors.

Funding and capacity building – 

This financial year saw an increase in acquiring funding to support PBC capacity building, training programs and more staff.

We acknowledge the continued funding from NIAA to deliver Statutory Functions for the Central Desert RATSIB. CDNTS was successful securing funding from other sources via grants to increase the support we provide to PBCs, as well funding to go directly to some PBCs to employ their own staff and develop their own programs and policies.

 Work on Country and the ‘Field Season’ -

The Central Desert “field season” is condensed to approximately 40 weeks per year, largely due to weather (heat restrictions, cyclones), law business and other matters. The period of March to early December is when meetings on country and heritage work will be scheduled.

This reporting period, logistics and operational support expanded to cover the Group’s entities and some client corporations. This saw an activity increase for travel arrangements of approximately 30%.  

Heritage coordination work for surveys and GIS (mapping) saw a large jump in number. Survey work averaged one survey per week (40-week field season) up from 20 surveys last FY. This survey number does not reflect the true number of surveys in the entire rep area, only those coordinated by CDNTS. The increase in number is driven by agreements and future acts which have also increased in number over the year.

Financial Report-

Central Desert Native Title Services Limited and its controlled entities Financial Reports are published on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission website, by 31 January each year.