After a plea from the Bowraville Local Aboriginal Land Council (BLALC) on behalf of the indigenous community, trusteeship of the iconic ‘Bowraville Memorial Park’ has been handed over to its traditional owners.
In August this year the BLALC wrote to the Department of Lands requesting that it be appointed reserve trust manager for the park located on the corner of South Arm and Gumbayggirr roads, Bowraville.
As yet the department has not granted consent but at Nambucca Shire Council’s last meeting (August 19), it was decided that council would relinquish trusteeship of the park.
Much work has been carried out to improve the park, which is located on crown land by the, for use by the local Aboriginal community.
Improvements to the park, which includes building a new barbecue shelter and playground, are being funded by the Federal Government and administered by not-for-profit organisation Beyond Empathy.
Council has provided in-kind assistance with the works by providing fill for landscaping.
The decision by council to hand management of the park to the BLALC has been warmly welcomed by the local community.
“Council’s decision represents a positive move forward,” BLALC CEO Barry Ford said.
“The community has been busily engaged in refurbishing the park with the aide of Beyond Empthy.
A function acknowledging the work that has been done would be held early this month.
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