Award for Council’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Plan

15 November 2018

Planning Institute of Australia praises new framework

The recently adopted Tweed Shire Council Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan has won the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) NSW 2018 Award for Planning Excellence in the category ‘Improving Planning Processes and Practices’.

The award was presented to Tweed Shire Council and Council’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee (AAC), and was received by Council officers and representatives of the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council.

The award recognises the implementation of a planning framework that respects the cultural heritage of the Tweed and places the consideration of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage upfront in the planning process. Consultation with the Aboriginal community is a key aspect of the Plan.

Chair of Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and AAC member Des Williams said it was fantastic to receive recognition for jointly developing the plan that may well set a new benchmark for the management of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage across New South Wales.

“Whilst there will be challenges because the Plan is all about managing potentially conflicting land uses and cultural values, these challenges can also become a powerfully positive process for all concerned enabling Aboriginal Cultural Heritage to inform and enhance the broader community,” Mr Williams said.

Mayor of Tweed Katie Milne said, “Council acknowledges and thanks the significant sharing of cultural knowledge by the Aboriginal community, the time they have contributed to a genuine partnership on the project and accepts the award acknowledging this involvement.”

The Plan provides a proactive approach to the understanding and management of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, enabling a better understanding of the sensitivities and occurrences of cultural heritage within the Tweed. The Plan provides tools and information for land owners and industry professionals to understand their obligations under the law.

The award, which was the only one presented to a regional council, received praise from the judging panel, “this is an innovative application of simplifying legislation in a local government strategy to ensure planning process and practices are streamlined and understood by all stakeholders. The Plan contributes awareness and understanding of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and could be easily transferable to other local government areas.”

For more information about the plan contact Council on (02) 6670 7400 or visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/AboriginalCulturalHeritage

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Caption: L-R Louise Bennett (TSC), Robyn Eisermann (TSC), Des Williams (TBLALC) and Rob Appo (TSC) receiving the PIA Award