Towards an Aboriginal Land Management Framework

This project is seeking the Aboriginal community's views on:

• Access to and use of public lands,

• Community involvement in managing public lands,

• The services Government provides to Aboriginal landowners.

Whole of Government Project

• Although managed by DECC, this is a ‘whole of Government’ project.

• ‘Public land’ includes state forests, national and state parks, travelling stock reserves and Crown lands, about 15% of NSW.

• Land management is seen to include State marine waters and rivers.

Broad Project Goals

Although ‘land management’ is the first focus of this project, reducing social disadvantage and strengthening the capacity to practise culture and self-determination are key related goals, and comments about land management can refer to these goals.

The Discussion Paper The discussion paper,

Towards an Aboriginal land management framework for NSW, sets out issues under five major themes:

• Acknowledging Aboriginal connection to Country

• Improving Aboriginal access to public lands

• Increased Aboriginal participation in the management of public lands

• Developing economic opportunities from the sustainable use of land

• Learning and working for Country.

What would a Framework do?

An Aboriginal Land Management Framework, based on community feedback, could:

• clarify a consistent approach to land access, use and management by Aboriginal people,

• identify gaps in current programs,• identify opportunities to develop

common principles and policies,• better coordinate the delivery of the

Government’s: land management, cultural heritage, conservation, and economic development

responsibilities.

Regional Workshops

• DECC invites Aboriginal people and their communities to attend a series of regional workshops that will be run across the State in February and March 2009.

• The workshops will be advertised in local community media well in advance. Intending participants can be notified of a meeting in their region by letter or email beforehand: simply send your contact details to the project postal or email address.

Having your sayMore information

• DECC Information Centre 131 555

• ALMF Project ManagerCulture and Heritage DivisionDepartment of Environment and Climate Change NSWPO Box A290, Sydney South 1232

• Email: almf@environment.nsw.gov.au

• Input from the community will be received until Tuesday 31 March 2009.