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Memorandum of Understanding between Bega, Eden and Merrimans Aboriginal Land Councils and The Native Title Holders and The Bega Valley Shire Council | Date: | 13 June 2001 | | Sub Category: | Memorandum of Understanding | Place: | Bega Valley Shire | State/Country: | New South Wales, Australia | | | Subject Matter: | | Cultural Heritage | Environmental Heritage | Local Government | Recognition Agreement / Acknowledgement | Reconciliation | Summary Information: | | The Memorandum of Understanding between the Bega, Eden and Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Councils, the Native Title Holders and the Bega Valley Shire Council (the MOU) was signed on the 13 June 2001.
In the MOU, the Shire Council acknowledges that Aboriginal people were the original inhabitants, custodians and Native Title holders of all land and water in the Bega Valley Shire. It expresses respect for Aboriginal Traditions and for Aboriginal peoples' special relationship with the land and waters.
In response, the Land Councils and the Owners acknowledge the colonisation of the land by non-Aboriginal people and respects the continuing rights and interests of all people in the Shire.
The MOU is an attempt to work earnestly toward Aboriginal unity as well as Aboriginal, Government and community reconciliation.
A full text copy of the MOU is available in pdf format by clicking on the Gallery link on the Agreement page or by clicking on the Pdf link on the Document page. | Detailed Information: | | As part of the MOU, The Bega Valley Shire Council commits itself to recognising a broad understanding of cultural heritage; celebrating Aboriginal ceremonies and events; involving Aboriginal people in civic events; and assisting, encouraging and promoting employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.
As part of the reconciliation journey, the Land Councils, the Native Title Holders and the Shire Council commit themselves to:
- developing greater community understanding of Aboriginal culture;
- seeking the support of the New South Wales Government for the co-operative development of a planning strategy with special consideration of Aboriginal links to land;
- resolving, by January 2002, mechanisms and processes which guarantee that appropriate consultation takes place in relation to significant development proposals to ensure Aboriginal culture and heritage are taken into account as part of the assessment/planning phase;
- developing an Indigenous Land Use Agreement;
- undertaking appropriate community planning to address social, economic or cultural disadvantage experienced by local Aboriginal people;
- considering the adoption of other appropriate processes to allow for future collaboration between the parties.
In June 2003, the Bega Valley Shire Council and local Aboriginal community representatives committed themselves to the renewal of the MOU. | |
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