The NSW Government and the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council announced a ‘statement of intent’ to negotiate the potential transfer of ownership of Peat Island to the Darkinjung LALC on Monday January 31, 2022.
The Darkinjung LALC has submitted a land claim for the land, now known as Peat Island, and seeks to use to further economic and cultural opportunities for the local Aboriginal community and all Australians.
This includes the possible development of an Aboriginal Discovery Centre, Indigenous Walking Path and cultural tourism opportunities what will capture and help preserve the rich aboriginal cultural heritage on and surrounding Peat Island.
NSW Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts said the statement of intent marked another step forward in reconciliation.
“The Government [NSW] recognises the significance of Peat Island, in both its Indigenous and European histories, and the impact it has had on all Australians over the last hundred years,” Mr Roberts said.
“Working with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council gives us the opportunity to partner with a grassroots community organisation to pay respect to these shared histories.”
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the statement of intent marked another step forward in reconciliation.
“Working with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council gives us an opportunity to partner with a local land council [and] to pay respect to these shared histories” said Mr Crouch.
DLALC Chair B J Duncan said: “This is an enormous opportunity for the local Aboriginal community and all Central Coast residents, providing an economic future and strengthening culture for the grandchildren of our grandchildren”.
The Deputy Secretary of Property and Development NSW, Leon Walker, said the announcement was a testimony to the significant work undertaken to identify a future land use for Peat Island and the Hawkesbury River foreshore that would sensitively and effectively activate the area.
“The collaboration with the Darkinjung will aim to reunite the site with the custodians of the land and ensure historically and culturally sensitive locations within the site, both Aboriginal and European, will be preserved and acknowledged well into the future” Mr Walker said.
The Government [NSW] will continue working with Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council through the planning processes.
The current planning proposal for Peat Island and Mooney Mooney, which seeks to allow new land uses for Peat Island and surrounds, will clear the way for Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council’s vision.
The NSW Government is currently looking though the 300 odd community submissions about the development proposals.
Primary sources: Press conference Peat Island Jan 31, 2022 & Media release Minister Anthony Roberts, January 31, 2022