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Development of a Memorandum of Understanding between DECC and the Darug People

Background

In 1997, the Darug people lodged a native title claim for lands within the Sydney Metropolitan Area, from the Colo River in the north, to Appin in the south, and from Mount Victoria in the west to the coastline of NSW between the southern shore of Port Jackson and the northern shore of Botany Bay in the east.

In 2006, the NSW Government began discussions with the Darug people in relation to the development of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). An ILUA is a voluntary agreement which does not determine or extinguish native title rights but is binding on both parties.

In November 2006, DECC convened a meeting with the Darug people who had lodged the native title claim to discuss the park issues associated with the development of an ILUA. Given the likely protracted nature of the development of the ILUA, DECC raised the possibility of negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the meantime as a means of getting the Darug people involved in the management of the DECC parks and reserves in the native title claim area. Download the Darug Peoples Memorandum of Understanding (Darugmou.pdf, 165KB)

The Darug Consultative Committee and the signing of the Darug Peoples MOU

In December 2006, DECC invited all Darug people to a further meeting to discuss the potential development of an MOU. The Darug people agreed to work with DECC to develop the MOU and agreed to create a consultative committee which would include representatives of Darug peoples. Ten representatives were nominated and the Darug Consultative Committee met in January 2007 to progress the MOU. The then Minister, Bob Debus approved, and the DECC Director General signed, the Darug Peoples MOU on 28 February 2007.

Jacinta Tobin signing the Darug Peoples MOU with Bob Debus, former Minister for the Environment. Brad and Lachlan Moore looking on (March 7 2007)

Establishment of the Darug Peoples Advisory Committee

DECC supported the implementation of the Darug Peoples MOU as a step forward in joint management of reserves with the local Aboriginal community. DECC also supports the formation of regional Aboriginal joint management committees to improve formal lines of communication and involvement of the local Aboriginal community in the management of parks and reserves. The MOU provided for the formal establishment of the Darug Peoples Advisory Committee (DPAC) and it was agreed that members of the Darug MOU Consultative Committee would form the initial DPAC, with a review of membership and structure after four years.

Members of the Darug Peoples Advisory Committee: Kerri Kenton, Chris Tobin, Richard Green, Jacinta Tobin, Simone Wilson Gordon Workman, Colin Gale and Gordon Morton (missing are Brad Moore and Leanne Watson) at the inaugural meeting on Saturday 24 April 2007

What does the MOU do?

The Darug Peoples Memorandum of Understanding (Darugmou.pdf, 165KB) acknowledges that the Darug people have a strong and ongoing cultural association with their traditional lands and waters. The purpose of the MOU is to establish a framework for Darug people's involvement in the management of parks and reserves administered by DECC and the protection of Aboriginal objects and places.

The MOU is not exclusive and recognises that DECC will consult with other Aboriginal groups and stakeholders. The MOU provides a framework for engagement and involvement in DECC projects and policies on cultural use and access, indigenous tourism and employment opportunities.

What the Darug People's Advisory Committee is involved in

Under the terms of the MOU, the committee is involved in:

• the active promotion of the employment and training of Darug people when planning and implementing works programs for parks and reserves within Darug country;
• training and engagement of local Aboriginal community members as Discovery Rangers for any cultural interpretation programs within the area of interest to the Darug people;
• business opportunities - DECC and the Consultative Committee will encourage Aboriginal business and the employment of Aboriginal people as part of the tender assessment criteria for identified contracts;
• cultural camps, field days and other cultural activities designed to allow the celebration, sharing and development of cultural knowledge within the community;
• the development of training programs to include protection, management and conservation techniques for management of cultural and natural heritage values;
• implementation of joint DECC/Advisory Committee programs to identify and record Aboriginal cultural heritage values in parks and reserves within Darug country ;
• access to parks and nature reserves for traditional or cultural purposes and practices;
• consultation between DECC and the Advisory Committee on policies and procedures involving commercial tour operators who provide interpretation of Aboriginal cultural heritage values within the Darug people's area of interest.

Lands covered by the MOU

The lands covered by the MOU that are managed by DECC are:

• Agnes Banks Nature Reserve
• Bents Basin State Conservation Area
• Berowra Valley Regional Park
• Blue Mountains National Park
• Botany Bay National Park
• Cadmans Cottage Historic Site
• Castlereagh Nature Reserve
• Cattai National Park
• Dural Nature Reserve
• Georges River National Park
• Georges River State Conservation Area
• Gulguer Nature Reserve
• Kemps Creek Nature Reserve
• Lane Cove National Park
• Leacock Regional Park
• Maroota Historic Site
• Maroota Ridge State Conservation Area
• Marramarra National Park
• Mulgoa Nature Reserve
• Newington Nature Reserve
• Parramatta River Regional Park
• Penrith Lakes Regional Park
• Pitt Town Nature Reserve
• Prospect Nature Reserve (proposed)
• Rouse Hill Regional Park
• Scheyville National Park
• Sydney Harbour National Park
• Wallumatta Nature Reserve
• Western Sydney Regional Park
• Wianamatta Regional Park (proposed)
• William Howe Regional Park
• Windsor Downs Nature Reserve
• Wisemans Ferry Historic Site
• Wollemi National Park
• Wolli Creek Regional Park
• Yellomundee Regional Park