An Indigenous corporation on Western Australia's south coast wants to secure management rights over the region's national parks before the state government spruiks the area to private companies.
The WA government earlier this year announced $17.7 million had been set aside to develop national parks, including $6.5 million to establish sites for private investment like eco-retreats.
But Peter Bednall, Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC) chief executive officer, believes the state should finalise joint management agreements with traditional owners before inviting companies into the parks.
