Work has begun to revitalise historic Peat Island before it is transferred to Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) later this year.
Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) has started significant maintenance and repair works at Peat Island, or Kooroowall-Undi.
These include the restoration of the island’s music bowl roof and demolition of derelict structures, including a 1960s extension of the former Hawkesbury Volunteer Rescue Building, and a mid-20th-century staff building to address significant health and safety risks.
Two other residential buildings on the mainland at Mooney Mooney will also be demolished due to similar health and safety concerns.
Additional works to clear unwanted overgrown vegetation on the mainland foreshore and the removal of general debris on the island have been completed.
The works will cost an estimated $1M to complete prior to the handover.
DLALC has indicated the possible development of an Aboriginal Discovery Centre, Indigenous Walking Path and cultural tourism opportunities on the island to capture and help preserve the area’s rich Aboriginal cultural heritage in ways that will also respect Peat Island’s past institutional use.
PDNSW is also working with DLALC on the development of a masterplan to activate the land, including the potential listing of the island as a local heritage conservation area.
CEO Leon Walker said Peat Island and Mooney Mooney is a place of great significance, especially to its traditional owners and Aboriginal communities, the local community and those with links to Peat Island’s institutional past.
Property and Development NSW Executive Director – Commercial Development Stace Fishwick said the island was a “place of stories”.
“The future of this place under the stewardship of the Darkinjung people will commemorate these stories and bring a new chapter to this place,” he said.
“Our work alongside the DLALC to develop the masterplan will celebrate the significance of Peat Island and Mooney Mooney to the local Darkinjung people, while we continue work to develop a revised planning proposal and land use strategy for the Mooney Mooney.”
Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson Tina West said the island was a place of Aboriginal dreaming stories.
“Pending further investigation Kooroowall-Undi has the potential to deliver significant outcomes for the Darkinjung community, and we look forward to the possibility of delivering a cultural open space full of rich stories that both commemorate our shared past and celebrate our shared future,” she said.
Why do the Taxpayers always have to foot the bill for these sorts of things. If we are giving an asset to the aboriginal community, shouldn’t it be their responsibility to maintain it?
Had it been gifted to me I would have been delighted to carry out the works in exchange for an incredible asset.