This page provides information to community members and Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) regarding the rights of Aboriginal people to access Country in NSW. This includes rights to hunt, fish and gather on Country and be involved in the management of national parks, state conservation areas and wilderness reserves.
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW), the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) and the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) are the chief pieces of legislation which apply.
NSWALC has produced a range of fact sheets to provide information to LALCs on these issues.
The Access and Use fact sheet provides information regarding negotiating access agreements under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW), gives an overview of what land management legislation applies to public land and gives an overview of the regulations allows Aboriginal people to hunt, fish and gather on public land.
The Managing Country fact sheet provides information regarding types of Joint Management arrangements, including arrangements under Part4A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974(NSW), Memorandums of Understanding, Indigenous Land Use Agreements under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and Indigenous Protected Areas.
The Joint Management of National Parks (Part 4A) fact sheet provides information regarding Part 4A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW), which may allow for the hand-back of parks or reserves to Aboriginal owners to be jointly managed and funded in partnership with the NSW Government.
LALCs are encouraged to read these fact sheets. Inquiries can be directed to NSWALC's Policy and Programs Unit on 02 9689 4444 or via email at policy@alc.org.au