Byron Bay

The Native Title agreement signed in October 1998 was the first substantial agrreement between a local council and native title applicants in NSW. The park Stretches along the magnificent Tallows Beach from Cosy Corner down to .........

As a result of this, we have seen the formation of the Arakwal National Park. The world conservation Union says "The partnership between the Byron Bay Arakwal people and the Government of New South Wales is strengthened through the good working relationship established by the Joint Management Committee for the National Park. The focus for this partnership in the future will centre on a second ILUA over other lands within "Arakwal country" and the economic enterprises associated with the proposed Arakwal cultural centre. These developments will further consolidate the position of the Byron Bay Arakwal people in managing their own cultural landscape to ensure the protection of both natural and cultural heritage."

As such, the formation of the park demonstrates a working example of reconciliation and the cooperative nature of the Arakwal and Byron Bay peoples.

Much of this has been achieved by Yvonne Stewart in her voluntary role as spokeswoman for the Arakwal People and as Chairperson of the Cape Byron Trust.. Yvonne has played a major role in the protection of Indigenous culture in the region and in the involvement of the Arakwal people in the management of the park.

With the formation of the park, a number of Arakwal people have been employed to manage parks and reserves in Arakwal country and are currently working out of a newly established depot in the Byron BAy Arts and Industry Estate. 4 traineeship positions were created withe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). These traineeships have given young Arakwal people opportunities close to home, and therefore culturally meaningful to them.

The achievements of Yvonne Stewart and the Arakwal Elders is an example of active reconcialiation and is currently being used as a model for resolving other native title claims.


29/10/2001
The State's newest national park, Arakwal National Park at Byron Bay, was officially declared today by NSW Premier Bob Carr.

Environment Minister Bob Debus said the 183 hectare national park, stretching to the south of Cape Byron, will protect significant Aboriginal cultural heritage sites.

"The Park is the result of almost seven years of negotiations between the Arakwal custodians, the NSW Government and the local community. It is a great symbol of reconciliation for the Byron Bay community," Mr Debus said.

"The new Park also will protect important natural values including the largest remaining coastal clay heath left in the state and numerous threatened plant and animal species.

"The Park is an important "stepping stone" for wildlife within an urban landscape - helping to establish links from Brunswick Heads to the north of Byron Bay south to Broken Head."

The park forms an important component of the reserve system in the area that includes Taylors Lake Aboriginal Place and Broken Head Reserve in the south and Cape Byron Reserve and Tyagarah Nature reserve in the north.

Mr Debus said successful negotiations have provided for co-management of the Park, through a committee comprising three Arakwal representatives, three NPWS representative and a Byron Shire Council representative.

"NPWS will now commence work on a number of plans to improve and manage the park including: a Rehabilitation Plan to conserve biodiversity and enhance natural regeneration, a Fire Management Plan, and a comprehensive weed control program.

"Threatened Species Recovery Plans will be implemented for the Bush Hen, Little Tern and Osprey, as well as threatened plant species such as the Scented Acronychia (a rare orchid) and a rare Casuarina, Allocasuarina defungens."

Mr Debus said there would be further consultation and community input into the management of the Park through the Plan of Management process over the next 18 months.

"Arakwal National Park will play an important role in local environmental education and the provision of research opportunities for the Byron Bay community.

"Everyone, especially Byron Bay locals and visitors, can play a part in preserving biodiversity and helping to protect the new park so that it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations."


PREMIER WELCOMES ARAKWAL HOME - "This always was, always will be Aboriginal Land".

With those words the NSW Premier, Bob Carr, formally welcomed the Arakwal people back to Byron Bay and recognised their rights as its traditional owners.

In an emotional ceremony, the Premier also presented Arakwal Elder, Lorna Kelly, and her sisters, Linda Vidler and Dulcie Nicholls, with the title deeds to land near their childhood home on Tallow Creek.

"It's taken 50 years nearly," she said proudly. "But I'm back and we're here!"

The symbolic handover marked the formal registration of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) which includes the creation of the Arakwal National Park and the transfer of Crown Land to the Arakwal Elders to establish homes and an Aboriginal cultural centre and tourist facility.

Under the agreement, the Arakwal people and the National Parks and Wildlife Service will jointly manage the 183 hectare National Park creating training and jobs for Aboriginal people.

"The advantage of an ILUA is its flexibility," Premier Carr said. "It can be tailored to suit the needs of the people involved and their particular land use issues."

For Lorna Kelly, it was a happy end to seven years of negotiation involving the State Government , Native Title Tribunal, NSWALC and Byron Shire Council.

"My family and I were forced from our homes over 50 years ago," she said. "I only hope that I live long enough to see homes built on our old campsite where I have all my childhood memories."

This was before sand miners smashed her family's camp and welfare took her away to an Aboriginal mission on Cabbage Tree Island, south of Ballina.

Lorna spent decades living on the island before returning to Byron Bay to fight for the return of her land.

"This is a good day for all of the people of Byron Bay," she said.

The Chair of the Cape Byron Trust, Yvonne Stewart, led the gathering in an emotion filled silent tribute to Aunty Yvonne Graham, who initiated the land claim but had not lived to see it realised.

"For too long we have watched our land destroyed by greed. This agreement ensures that some of our land is protected," Yvonne said. "It also ensures that we have a say over the management of the land and that our people are trained and employed to protect our land.

"We now have the title deeds to land to build houses and for our cultural centre but we are only half way there. The struggle must continue."

Welcoming the Arakwal back to their land, Premier Bob Carr acknowledged their special connection with the headland they call "Walgun" - the Shoulder.

"We now have the title deeds to land to build houses and for our cultural centre but we are only half way there. The struggle must continue."

Welcoming the Arakwal back to their land, Premier Bob Carr acknowledged their special connection with the headland they call "Walgun" - the Shoulder.

"It is part of their dreaming, the stories of creation and Aboriginal life. It is also a place of ceremony, learning and inspiration.

"This agreement recognises the Aboriginal traditional rights over the land and its special place for the Arakwal people."

Premier Carr said it was appropriate that the ceremony took place near the Byron Bay Lighthouse.

"It is a lighthouse agreement. It points the way. It guides other communities in NSW and other communities around Australia," he said.

During the seven year consultation process, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council brought groups together for community consultations and provided legal and anthropological support to underpin the agreement.

"It's taken over 50 years, but I'm back." - Arakwal Elder, Lorna Kelly


STAGE TWO

NSWALC Far North Coast Regional Councillor, David Brown, congratulated all parties on the achievement and said he looked forward to stage two of the ILUA which will address all native title issues in the broader Byron area, including compensation for past extinguishments.

"Such a comprehensive Indigenous Land Use Agreement has never before been achieved on mainland Australia. It's a big task, but given what has already been achieved, we are convinced the parties can make history yet again," Cr Brown said.

Although the Government has formally committed itself to further negotiation, Premier Carr declined to comment on the next stage.

He laughed however, when taken to task by Bundjalung Elder, Eric Walker, who entertained those gathered with a reference to the Biblical command against stealing.

Waving the Bible in the air he said, "It says here that stealing involves taking the property of someone else." Then turning to Premier Carr he added, "Right Premier?"

"And you brought this [the Bible] over with you on the First Fleet!"

The ceremony ended with the presentation of paintings by young Arakwal artists to the Premier, Environment Minister, Bob Debus and the Native Title Tribunal President, Graeme Neate. The dignitaries also added their hand prints to a commemorative painting by Arakwal artist, Sean Kay.

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