Coffs Harbour’s Aboriginal cultural heritage is set to be formally embedded in the City’s planning and assessment processes for the delivery of community projects and proposed property developments following a landmark decision.
The City of Coffs Harbour Council has been working with the local Indigenous community and NSW Government since 2016 toward formulation of a framework which recognises the importance of protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage.
At its August meeting, Councillors voted unanimously to adopt the Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Plan and the associated Cultural Heritage Map and an amendment to the Development Control Plan.
“This will provide greater clarity for the local Gumbaynggirr people, the City when delivering its projects, the broader community, and for proponents of building and development proposals,” said City Planning and Communities Director, Chris Chapman.
“This extensive body of collaborative work firms up how Aboriginal cultural heritage is considered as part of the City’s planning and assessment processes.”
Following public consultation, the now adopted management plan is supported by an online cultural heritage map developed by the NSW Government.
Council says the map will be dynamic and likely to change over time, as more Aboriginal cultural heritage values are added, or removed where values are confirmed to not be present.
“The local Aboriginal community is committed to working with local stakeholders to ensure protection of local Aboriginal culture and heritage,” said Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO, Chris Spencer.
“City of Coffs Harbour has developed the management plan in collaboration with the local Aboriginal community to ensure that cultural interests are protected for all members of the local community to enjoy as a community asset.”
In practice, Mr Chapman said the management plan will see Council staff consult with the local Land Council when processing development applications.
“Normal development application timeframes will not be impacted by this process,” he said.
Coffs Harbour is one of only two Councils in the region with an adopted Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan.
“Aboriginal cultural heritage is significant nationally and internationally, so this work is enormously important for today and into the future,” Mr Chapman said.
