It might have appeared a mere formality but it was in fact an important step in the journey to care for the riverside land where ancient skeletal remains were found in 2017.
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Last week Nambucca Shire councillors resolved to accept the transfer of ownership of the Riverside Dr site in Nambucca Heads.
Earlier this month the Department of Planning and Environment acquired the land under the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme.
It will now transfer the land to council for ongoing management as community land, which means the land cannot be sold or have its use changed without public consultation and ministerial approval.
In his report General Manager Michael Coulter said the move was welcomed as both recognition of an important cultural site for Gumbaynggirr people as well as an important addition to the council's foreshore open space network.
Cr Susan Jenvey said it tugged at her heart that the land was not in Aboriginal ownership.
Cr Hoban reassured her that the Aboriginal Men's Group had said they preferred the land was managed by the council.
She said the acquisition of the site and the management arrangement was an excellent opportunity to assist with the achievement of Aboriginal Constitutional Recognition, as per the revised Local Government NSW position (read more about this here).
A provision of $40,000 has been made in the budget for the employment of an archaeologist and landscape architect to develop detailed plans for the re-interment of the human remains and the conservation of other heritage features as well as for interpretive signs.
Consultation with the local Aboriginal community is ongoing.
Also making the news:
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
