In a first for NSW, Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council has been appointed to manage culturally significant land at Fingal Head.
A new Crown land reserve is being created at Fingal Head dedicated to ‘Preservation of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage’.
The appointment of Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council to manage the new Fingal Head reserve is the first time a land council has been appointed a Crown Land Manager in NSW.
This aligns with Crown land priorities to protect cultural heritage and the environment, and support Aboriginal outcomes.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the appointment and reserve would protect and promote the environmental, cultural and historical features of Fingal Head.
“This historic appointment and creation of the new 2.3-hectare reserve is a terrific outcome for our local area, recognising the Aboriginal community’s longstanding connection to this culturally-significant land,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Our beautiful coastline is starkly noted by this landmark headland formed by lava from the now extinct Mt Warning volcano, and known as Wollumbin by local Aboriginal people.”
Des Williams, Chairperson of the Tweed Byron LALC welcomed the appointment and reserve to protect Fingal Headland, known as ‘Booninybah’ or Place of the big Echidna because of its basalt rock that looks like echidna spines.
“Fingal Headland is a special cultural place connected to many other significant cultural sites throughout the shire and beyond our shire. Our community is still very much connected to it,” Mr Williams said.
Left to right: Tweed Byron LALC representatives Des Williams (Chair), Leweena Williams (CEO) and Rangers Tom Phillips, Tom Byrnes, Banahm Slabb and Ernie Williams gathered for the announcement with Fingal Elders Aunty Chris Morgan, Aunty Marcia Browning, Uncle Clarry Williams, Uncle Kevin Slabb, Aunty Dale Williams and Jaydee Rotumah-Weir, and Tweed MP Geoff Provest, Crown Lands Manager Katherine Knight, and Tweed Shire Council’s Jane Lofthouse.
Fingal Head
