Consultation commences on new model for Aboriginal joint management of NSW national parks

Consultation has commenced on the development of a new model which could lead to the handback of title to all NSW national parks, which cover nearly 10% of NSW, over a 15 to 20 year period.

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.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs 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 NSW,” Minister 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.”

NSW Minister for Environment James Griffin advised “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.

“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.

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.

The first NSW 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. 

For more information on the consultation process and existing joint management arrangements in NSW national parks, visit https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/community-engagement/aboriginal-joint-management-model-consultation

Images from top: Norm Graham Ranger at Arakwal National Park. Credit: NPWS; Dolphin Dreaming Arakwal Country Credit: D Young DPE; Discovery Tour Arakwal Cape Byron SCA Credit: L Middleton DPE; Celebrating on Worimi Conservation Lands Credit: NPWS