Southern Snowy Mountains Aboriginal Community to jointly manage Kosciuszko National Park

Media release: 27 June 2016

The Southern Snowy Mountains Aboriginal Community now has stronger links with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in the management of Kosciuszko National Park and reserves in the Southern Ranges Region under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

In signing the MOU last week Tom Bagnat, Director Mountains and Metro branch with NPWS, said the agreement formally acknowledges both parties commitment to working together to care for the park's Aboriginal places and spiritual and cultural values.

"This MOU provides Original Owners of Monaro-Ngarigo decent with an opportunity to reconnect to country and a clearly defined role in identifying and conserving Aboriginal cultural heritage in the southern section of the park," Mr Bagnat said.

"The MOU covers the area south of Tolbar Road near Lake Eucumbene to the Victorian border, Country that includes important cultural sites and places of cultural significance within the landscapes and waterways.

"This cooperative approach to park management means decisions around the conservation of this cultural heritage will be more holistic and reflective of the Original Owner's aspirations.

"Under the agreement an Executive Advisory Committee made up of community members will be established to advise NPWS on other aspects of park management including tourism, fire and pest management operations.

"It's taken a long time to produce the MOU and I would like to thank all involved. It's through this process that a genuine and respectful partnership has developed," said Mr Bagnat.

The agreement was signed at a celebration on 25 June 2016 in Jindabyne with members of the Monaro Ngarigo community and NPWS.

"What this MOU represents is much more than an agreement to work collaboratively, it symbolises a shared vision to manage Kosciuszko National Park's unique values to deliver benefits not only to Country but to people and communities," Mr Bagnat said.

This MOU with the Monaro Ngarigo community is similar to an agreement already in place with the Tumut Brungle Gundagai Aboriginal Area Community.

Photos for media: www.flickr.com/photos/nswnationalparks/albums/72157667533411263

Contact: Sarah Scroope