Me-Mel (Goat Island) is currently part of Sydney Harbour National Park. Me-Mel is one of the 9 islands of Sydney Harbour. It is State-Heritage listed and contains a rich and diverse array of Aboriginal, historical and natural heritage values, including over 30 buildings and other structures dating from the 1830s to the 1960s.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will lead the project, working with the Transfer Committee to make recommendations to the NSW Government for the transfer of Me-Mel in Sydney Harbour to Aboriginal ownership and management and will conduct essential works to expedite the transfer process.
During 2018 and 2019, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, NPWS and Aboriginal Affairs met in a series of facilitated workshops to collaborate and jointly develop a set of guiding principles for exploring future opportunities for Aboriginal ownership and management of Me-Mel to activate and unlock the cultural and economic potential of Me-Mel.
It was also determined that a Transfer Committee needed to be established to make recommendations for the transfer, and future management, of Me-Mel by developing a strategic business case.
This will include engaging with the Aboriginal community, the broader public and other stakeholders on the plan for future management.
NPWS called for nominations from the Aboriginal community for 4 Aboriginal community representatives to join the Me-Mel (Goat Island) Transfer Committee. Nominations closed on Sunday 9 October 2022. For more details on the nomination process, please view the Expression of Interest in the Nominate tab below.