The Northern Land Council says it has signed-off on 40-year leases with three Top End Aboriginal communities.

The lease agreements pave the way for work to go ahead under the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program.

The council says Milingimbi has been allocated more than $24 million to build new houses and refurbishments.

Almost $27 million will go to the Ngukurr community and $13.9 million has been allocated to Gapuwiyak.

The Land Council says the agreements come after lengthy consultation with traditional land owners.

It expects to sign-off on agreements with the two remaining communities of Yirrkala and Numbulwar by the end of the year.