PaySmart
Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…
read moreThe Victorian Government has launched an initiative to give traditional owners joint management rights to parks and reserves in the east of the state.
The first plan of its type in Victoria will see the Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner Land Management Board (GKTOLMB) and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLAWAC) work with the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to care for 10 parks and reserves.
They include Buchan Caves Reserve, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, Mitchell River National Park, Tarra-Bulga National Park and the Knob Reserve in Stratford.
Announcing the plan, Victorian Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said land management without Indigenous involvement had not worked, commenting “unless you acknowledge the errors of the past, the injustices of the past, you can't move forward.”
The announcement was celebrated earlier this month by hundreds of people at the Knob Reserve in Stratford, which was also the scene of the native title handover in 2010.
About 70 dancers from Indigenous groups across Gippsland gathered to welcome people with a smoking ceremony.
Minister D'Ambrosio added “this is a significant demonstration of our government's commitment to restoring justice for traditional owners.
"This joint management plan sets the framework for a genuine partnership where traditional owners can have cultural practise but also the direct roles and responsibilities for managing 10 parks and reserves in this really special park of Victoria."
GLAWAC Supervising Ranger Grattan Mullett Jnr looked forward to his organisation taking on more responsibility, commenting “we've stepped up higher, so we are going to be leading different projects … for example fire (management), we'll be doing burns in the parks.”
Mullet Jnr hoped it would encourage more people to get involved and strengthen their relationship with country, adding “working out in the field and in our parks is one of the best things you could possibly do, you realise where our ancestors walked and what they did for us thousands of years ago.”
Mullett Jnr said his group was already working well with organisations like Parks Victoria, with Minister D'Ambrosio concluding "working alongside the Gunaikurnai people and learning from their cultural knowledge and connection to the land is vital for delivering the best outcomes for these parks and reserves.
"There's been a lot of really strong dedication and collaboration to really understand what it is for us to have traditional owners connected back with country."
Image: Mitchell River National Park
31st August 2018 - Parks Victoria to trial health focused rangers
4th January 2018 - Native title plan to maximise tourism opportunities for Gippsland Aboriginal community
12th December 2017 - Parks Victoria to employ 53 new Rangers
5th July 2017 - Parks Victoria acknowledges work of Indigenous ranger during NAIDOC week
15th October 2016 - Fines for campers following destructive behaviour in Victorian National Park
28th July 2016 - Indigenous rangers lobby for more positions
5th January 2016 - Victoria’s national parks suffer from funding reductions
1st December 2013 - New strategy to boost Aboriginal tourism in Victoria
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…
read moreTim Batt Water Solutions are at the very forefront of the commercial aquatic business in Australia, with over 30 years specific experience supplying and installing chemical control and dosing…
read moreWhether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…
read moreWe are the leading providers of kids fun multi-sports programs for Sport and Recreation Centres. Programs cover twelve common sports as well as Gross Motor Skill Development and suit children from as…
read moreiDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…
read morerevolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…
read moreHIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…
read morePico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!