Our Aboriginal Heritage and Partnerships Team works with Aboriginal communities throughout NSW. The team have negotiated and retained over 50 contracts; supported significant forest based cultural tourism developments; provided accredited firefighting training to over 80 Aboriginal people; and provided numerous permits to Aboriginal people and organisations for a range of commercial and cultural purposes.
Information about management of Aboriginal cultural heritage is also reported annually in our sustainability report.
We work with Aboriginal communities to carry out cultural burning, continuing culture and lowering the risk of bushfire by reducing fuel levels in the forest. We are leading a three-year project to bring together traditional cultural burning knowledge with government disaster management.
Tourism, cultural and economic opportunities have been developed in partnership with local Aboriginal communities including the Gumgali Track in Orara East State Forest and Guulaba - Place of Koala in Cowarra State Forest.
Read on below for details.
We partner with communities to:
In Orara East State Forest, a strong partnership with Gumbaynggirr people is delivering economic, cultural and community wellbeing outcomes. Visitor experiences incorporate Aboriginal art, sculpture and interpretation of Country in Niigy Niigy (Sealy Lookout), Korora Lookout and the Gumgali Track. Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation runs Nyanggan Gapi Cafe & Catering on-site and offers cultural tours. Bookings through Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation.
Guulabaa is a world class forest-based tourism precinct encompassing nature-based visitor experiences while focusing on koala conservation and breeding. A feature is the Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council café, gallery and cultural education centre, which showcase the Aboriginal culture and heritage of the Biripi people.