Consultation has commenced on the development of a groundbreaking new model for Aboriginal joint management of NSW national parks, which could see title to the entire estate transferred to Aboriginal owners over time.
Environment Minister James Griffin said a new model could lead to the handback of title to all NSW national parks, which cover nearly 1% of New South Wales, over a 15 to 20 year period.
“Already, more than 30% of the NSW national parks estate is covered by joint management, but Aboriginal people currently hold title or native title to just over 4% of it,” Mr Griffin said.
“Expansion of the joint management model in this way would be a historic step that no other Australian jurisdiction and few other countries, if any, have taken.
“This is putting Aboriginal land management and stewardship at the heart of our efforts to conserve our precious environment and care for Country.
“Expanding Aboriginal joint management will be a significant, practical step towards Reconciliation and Closing the Gap targets because it enhances opportunities for Aboriginal employment and businesses, while strengthening the role of Aboriginal people in decision-making, cultural heritage protection and park management.”
The consultation process is expected to take 18 months and will involve engagement with Aboriginal communities and a broad range of stakeholders that have an interest in national parks.
Under a new model, the public will have continued access to national parks, and transfers of title would be subject to a long-term leaseback of land at nominal rent to Government.
A proposed model that involves enhancing Aboriginal employment and business opportunities will be released for public comment with a final model being considered by Government after extensive consultation.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Franklin said the NSW Government will be seeking
input from Aboriginal people on how to make joint management arrangements work
best for them.
“Developing a new model for joint management is one way to make meaningful
progress on improving outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities in New South Wales,” Mr
Franklin said.
“This is about reconnecting people to country, aligning with native title processes and
integrating Aboriginal knowledge in caring for country in the way they’ve been doing
for tens of thousands of years.”
New South Wales has a proud history of leading the way on Aboriginal joint management. The first
joint management agreement came into place in 1998 at Mutawintji National Park near
Broken Hill, and Arakwal National Park at Byron Bay was the first national park in
Australia to be managed under an Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
The level of investment in fire management, feral animal control, visitor infrastructure
and threatened species protection is currently at record levels across the NSW
national parks estate.
A new model will build on these efforts to ensure land management techniques remain
best practice, while also providing for continued public access and visitation.
