ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

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Principles of Cooperation between the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and Warringah Council
Category:	Event
Binomial Name:	AM
Date:	3 August 2004
Sub Category:	Statement of Commitment/Intention
Place:	Sydney
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State/Country:	New South Wales, Australia
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Alternative Names:	Principles of Cooperation between Metro and Warringah Council
Subject Matter:	\| Local Government \| Recognition Agreement / Acknowledgement \| Reconciliation
URL:	http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/pdf/final_principles_coop.pdf
Summary Information:
The Principles of Cooperation agreement between the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (Metro) and the Warringah Council ('the Agreement') was signed by the Chairperson and CEO of Metro and by the Administrator and General Manager of Warringah Council on 3 August 2005. Through signing, the parties agree to: '1. Actively work together to foster reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people; 2. Actively work together to promote an increased understanding of Aboriginal culture; 3. Establish and maintain open and transparent two-way communications and consultation between the two organisations; 4. Establish a framework for considering development proposals affecting Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council interests that is consistent with City of Sydney's duties and obligations under all relevant laws' (Principles of Cooperation). At the signing, Metro's Chairperson, Rob Welsh, emphasised the importance of Aboriginal art sites within the Warringah area (Warringah 2006). The Agreement is the third such agreement signed between Metro and Councils in its area and the first signed on the Peninsula (see Metro 2006; Warringah Council 2006). Metro's 'aim is to sign a Principles of Cooperation Agreement with every Council within [its] boundaries' (Metro 2006). Principles of Cooperation agreements are designed to create 'formal communication, consultation and negotiation processes between Metro' and each Council involved. They 'also [open] the way for possible future cross cultural training and joint community development initiatives' (see, eg, ABC 2005; Warringah Council 2005).
Detailed Information:
Supporting Statements The Supporting Statements to the Agreement affirm that Metro 'is recognised as the custodian[] of Aboriginal land, cultural sites and landscapes' and that 'Warringah Council is the elected representative body for Warringah residents and the consent authority for development within the Warringah Local Government Area.' The Supporting Statements outline the recognised roles, priorities and constraints of the parties, recognising that 'good communication, consultation and an agreed framework for negotiating development is essential' because of 'the major stakeholder status of the parties'. Through the Agreement, the parties 'will foster reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people' and 'will use best endeavours to recognise and promote understanding of the custodial obligations, spiritual and cultural ties of [Metro]'. Coordination Committee To assist with its implementation, the Agreement provides for the establishment of a Coordination Committee, consisting of the Chairperson and CEO of Metro, the Mayor and General Manager of Warringah Council and other agreed nominees. The Committee will meet to resolve disputes and issues relating to implementation of the Agreement and may consider 'access, administration, capital works and infrastructure' issues, as well as '[c]ross-cultural training and joint community development initiatives'. Brookvale Valley Project One outcome of the Agreement, as at Autumn 2006, has been the creation of a partnership on the Brookvale Valley Project (ASGMWP 2006, 7). Both Metro and Warringah Council will provide $25,000 funding towards the regeneration of an area of natural bush between Beacon Hill and Warringah Roads. The Project 'will return the land to the way it may have looked before European settlers came to Australia' (ASGMWP 2006, 7).