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Memorandum of Understanding between New South Wales State Forests and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council |
| Date: | 1 January 2004 | |
| Sub Category: | Memorandum of Understanding |
| Place: | Eden Forest |
|
| State/Country: | New South Wales, Australia |
|
| Subject Matter: | Access | Land Use |
| Summary Information: | |
| The Memorandum of Understanding between New South Wales State Forests and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council (MOU) was signed in January 2004. The MOU represents the commitment of State Forests of NSW to establishing an effective working relationship with the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council (ELALC), as well as the Aboriginal communities it represents, regarding the management of State forest land. The MOU is to provide a basis from which the parties can develop co-operative arrangements for the management of Aboriginal cultural heritage and interests in State forests. The MOU also expresses agreement as to the sharing of knowledge and provision for Aboriginal access to land and resources. It sets out processes for Aboriginal involvement in the joint management of specific areas of State forest in the Eden area. The Aboriginal community envisages the development of forest-based enterprise opportunities which are both culturally appropriate and complementary to existing industries. |
| Detailed Information: | |
Under the Eden Regional Forest Agreement between the State and Federal Governments signed in 1999, three areas of State forest were transferred to the ELALC to assist the economic development of the Eden Aboriginal community. Where areas remain State forest, it was agreed that an MOU would be developed to cover areas where Aboriginal and forestry interests continued to overlap.
State Forests NSW acknowledges that Aboriginal cultural heritage extends beyond archaeological sites and artefacts to include natural values such as flora, fauna and landforms. It also recognises that forest values may provide opportunities for Aboriginal cultural, social or economic developments. The MOU therefore makes provision for the development of opportunities in land management training, as well as for access to State forests for recreational, traditional and ceremonial purposes. It recognises that Aboriginal people are the custodians of their own culture. | |
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