| The Copmanhurst Shire Council and the Baryulgil Bundjalung People finalised a draft agreement that will see traditional owner interests factored into future town planning decisions.
A key element of the agreement is the establishment of the Copmanhurst Shire Traditional Owners Liaison Committee consisting of three Baryulgil Bundjalung representatives and three nominees of the Council. The Committee's main task is to make recommendations to the Council on the development of a planning strategy for the shire that identifies the boundaries of Baryulgil Bundjalung traditional country and areas of cultural significance within it. The Committee will also analyse local development applications for their possible impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage. Within the agreement the Council acknowledges the Baryulgil Bundjalung as the original inhabitants of the wider area as well as their right to speak for country.
The agreement emerged from mediations of the Baryulgil Bundjalung's native title claim, that covers a number of parcels of land and waters within a 2,391 sqare kilometre area, but does not constitute a surrender or acknowledgement of native title rights. |
